A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings for parts of Japan, Alaska and Hawaii, with alerts also issued for the United States West Coast and Guam.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck around 8:25 a.m. Japan time, about 85 miles off the Kamchatka coast, at a depth of nearly 12 miles. It was followed by aftershocks of 6.3 and 6.9 magnitude. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed a tsunami had been generated, warning of potentially destructive waves.

“This is the most serious warning that you can have,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D. said. “It is not a watch. It is a warning. Which means we have to evacuate the coastal zones right away.”

Sirens blared in Hawaii’s capital on Tuesday eveni

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