Tsunami warnings lifted in Japan, advisories still active

A tsunami sent powerful waves toward coastal areas of Russia’s Kuril Islands, Japan and Hawaii and Alaska and California after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia early Wednesday.

Japan has downgraded its last remaining tsunami alert, which was in the country’s north. Tsunami advisories remain in place for its Pacific coast.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 60 centimeters (2 feet) had been detected as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake’s epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula and officials declared a state of emergency in several areas.

Edited By BRIDGET BROWN, RICARDO BENASSI and FRANK GRIFFITHS