A tsunami has struck coastal areas of Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s large northern island of Hokkaido after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s remote and sparsely populated far eastern coast.

The earthquake hit about 119km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia at a depth of 20.7km, striking at 2.24am local time (9.24am AEST) on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said.

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It was initially recorded as a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, later revised to 8.7, and then upgraded again to 8.8.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the first tsunami wave, measuring about 30cm, reached Nemuro on the eastern coast of Hokkaido about 10.30am local time (11.30am AEST).

It was followed by two more 30cm waves recorded in Hamanaka at 10.36am and Kushiro Port at 10.42am.

A 40cm wave was observed at Tokachi Port, while another 30cm wave was recorded in Erimo, in southeastern Hokkaido, at 10.46am.

A tsunami also struck Russia’s far east coast, flooding parts of the port town of Severo-Kurilsk — home to about 2000 people — according to a statement from Russia’s emergency ministry.

Waves between 3m and 4m high were recorded in parts of Russia’s Kamchatka on Wednesday morning, according to Reuters.

Footage posted on Russian social media appeared to show buildings in the town submerged in seawater.

Tsunami warnings were issued for parts of Russia, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, China, and the entire US west coast.

US President Donald Trump shared the alert on X, urging people to stay updated with the latest information.

“STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” he posted.

New Zealand’s disaster management agency has warned people in coastal areas to expect “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore”.

In a national alert, Civil Defence said there is no immediate need to evacuate but advised people to stay away from beaches and coastal areas.

China has issued a tsunami warning for coastal cities, warning waves of up to 1m could have a “disastrous” impact on Shanghai, Zhoushan, and Taiwan.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed on X there is no tsunami threat to Australia.

Waves of up to 3m are expected in parts of Japan, with authorities strongly urging people to stay away from coastal areas and rivers for their safety.

Workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant — devastated by a tsunami in 2011 — have reportedly been evacuated following the latest tsunami warning.

Local TV in Hawaii is urging residents to prepare a “go bag”, warning they may have a three-hour window to get ready in case evacuation is needed.

Russia’s Tass news agency reported power outages and mobile phone service disruptions across Kamchatka in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Residents reportedly fled into the streets without shoes or jackets.

Wardrobes toppled, mirrors shattered, cars rocked in the streets, and balconies visibly shook.

Several people sought medical assistance following the quake, regional health minister Oleg Melnikov told news outlet Tass.

“Unfortunately, there are some people injured during the seismic event. Some were hurt while running outside, and one patient jumped out of a window. A woman was also injured inside the new airport terminal,” Melnikov said.

“All patients are currently in satisfactory condition and no serious injuries have been reported so far.”

The quake is the strongest on the planet since 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit northeast Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami.

It is also the most powerful to hit Russia’s Kamchatka region since 1952.

The earthquake’s epicentre lies off the coast of Russia’s far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, a remote part of the country that is sparsely populated.

Kamchatka is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

Residents were being evacuated on Sakhalin, a Russian island in the Pacific that lies to the southwest of the epicentre, according to Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko, RIA News reported.