A record-setting earthquake is sending tsunami waves towards several US states. Here’s what we know

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s remote east coast, triggering tsunami alerts in several Pacific nations as well as Hawaii, Alaska, the US and Canadian coasts, and parts of South America.

The quake is tied for the sixth strongest ever recorded, and the strongest since 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit northeast Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami.

It’s too early to say how damaging any tsunami waves may be, or how many countries might be affected. The first places to be hit have started to report waves that appear less severe than initially forecast.

But experts across the Pacific warn the scale of waves can vary greatly in different locations and are urging the public to remain away from coastlines. Tsunami waves can also continue to impact coastlines hours after they first hit.

Honolulu resident Adam Jung pushes water and other supplies out of a store after authorities warned residents of the possibility of destructive tsunami waves, in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday. - Marco Garcia/Reuters

Some of the biggest waves are expected to hit Hawaii shortly with the governor warning the impact could wrap around the islands.

Here’s what we know.

Where did the quake hit?

The earthquake’s epicenter is about 74 miles (119 kilometers) southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far east Russia, at a depth of 20.7 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

CNN

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

Two powerful aftershocks of 6.3 and 6.9 magnitudes struck off Russia in the hour after the initial quake. Dozens more aftershocks above a 5 magnitude also struck Russia in the immediate hours after.

What areas may be affected?

The earthquake triggered tsunami alerts in Russia, Japan, the US, Canada, and other countries in Asia and South America.

Tsunami warnings - the most severe type of tsunami alert - are currently in place for Hawaii, the California coast from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border, and Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, from Samalga Pass to Attu.

Tsunami advisories – a lesser warning – are in place for the rest of the US West Coast, and parts of British Columbia and Alaska.

The governments of Chile, Peru, Ecuador also issued tsunami alerts. Ecuador’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute said the Galapagos Islands could see a wave measuring 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) by 9 a.m. local time.

The Integrated Tsunami Alert System of Mexico and Central America has issued a tsunami alert that stretches from Ensenada, in the northwest coast of Mexico, to the Central American country Panama.

Advisories are also in place for several Pacific US territories, including Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.

The biggest waves, reaching above 3 meters (almost 10 feet), are possible in Ecuador, the northwestern Hawaiian islands, and Russia, according to the National Weather Service. Surges higher than normal are also possible along other coastal areas of South America, the Pacific islands and Asia.

Hawaii braces for impact

Hawaii is currently bracing for impact, with waves expected within the next couple of hours.

Honolulu’s mayor told residents to seek higher ground as sirens blared across the city, and emergency shelters have begun opening in the islands of Oahu, Kauai and Maui.

“We need people to stay calm but also to act accordingly. If you can get to higher ground if you’re in a low-lying area, please do that,” Rick Blangiardi said.

Gov. Josh Green urged residents to evacuate coastal zones “right” away in a news conference.

Traffic builds on S Beretania Street near downtown Honolulu after authorities warned residents of the possibility of destructive tsunami waves, in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday. - Marco Garcia/Reuters

“You need to expect that there will be flooding on the islands and it will be imminent after the wave hits,” he said.

“It will not hit one beach, it will wrap around the islands,” Green said, adding, “If we’re calm, we’re going to be fine.”

Hotels along the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island have begun evacuating guests.

Evacuations in Japan as first waves hit

The first tsunami waves have hit the coasts of Japan, Russia and Alaska, but minimal damage has been reported so far.

Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido was one of the first places to report tsunami waves, measuring up to 60 centimeters (2 feet), along with parts of Russia. Tsunami sirens could be heard blaring through parts of the island on Wednesday morning. Video shared by Reuters and the Nippon News Network showed people taking shelter on a roof.

More than 1.9 million people across Japan have been urged to move to safer ground, as waves up to 50 cm (1.6 feet) slap the country’s east coast, inching closer to Tokyo. That’s far below the initial forecast of up to three meters, though that could change, and additional waves could follow.

The district of Severo-Kurilsk, on the southern tip of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, issued a state of emergency after it was hit by several tsunami waves early Wednesday – tearing boats from their moorings and carrying away storage containers, according to state media TASS.

A tsunami wave of 3-4 meters high was recorded in the Yelizovo District of Kamchatka, according to Russian authorities.

Meanwhile, a tidal rise of 1 foot was observed by the volcanic island of Amchitka, Alaska, at around 5:14 p.m. Pacific Time — the only tsunami observation in the US so far.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNN’s Helen Regan, Jessie Yeung, Brandon Miller, Angela Fritz, Nina Subkhanberdina, Tori B. Powell, Taylor Romine, Briana Waxman, Matt Rehbein, Karina Tsui, Alex Stambaugh, Kathleen Magramo and Hanna Park contributed reporting.