A huge earthquake sent tsunami waves hurtling across the Pacific – but little damage was reported. Here’s what we know

By Lex Harvey, CNN

(CNN) — One of the most powerful earthquakes in modern history shook Russia’s remote east coast Wednesday, sending tsunami waves hurtling across the Pacific Ocean and putting nations from Japan to the United States to Chile on high alert with millions urged to evacuate.

The waves hit Russia and Japan first and then the US states of Hawaii , California , Oregon, Washington, and Alaska .

Despite the extraordinary strength of the quake – which at an 8.8 magnitude is tied for the sixth strongest ever recorded – the destructive tsunami that many feared did not materialize and millions across the Pacific were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Less than 24 hours after the quake first struck, most tsunami alerts around the world had already been lifted.