Tsunami waves reach California and Hawaii after massive earthquake in Russia

Tsunami waves have reached California and Hawaii several hours after a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia's Far East.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said Wednesday morning that tsunami waves measuring 1.6 feet above tide level have been observed in Arena Cove in the U.S. state of California.

In Hawaii, tsunami waves of up to 4.9 feet above tide level were registered although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said available data suggests a major tsunami is not expected to strike the island state.

"A strong earthquake in the Pacific Basin has generated a tsunami wave. Tsunami Warnings and Advisories have been issued for Hawaii, portions of Alaska, Guam, American Samoa, and the West Coast of the U.S.," the U.S. National Weather Service warned earlier Wednesday.

The NWS told people in the affected states to follow instructions from government agencies and to be observant and exercise caution if they are near or in the ocean.

It warned that sea level changes and strong currents are still possible close to the shore and in harbors and marinas. It added that officials are assessing damage but have not reopened coastal evacuation areas and warned residents to stay clear of these areas.

The advisories came after a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The quake triggered tsunami warnings in Japan and several states in the western United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and California.

The earthquake triggered evacuation orders in Hawaii and Japan. The U.S. Coast Guard also ordered commercial vessels in harbors in Hawaii to evacuate.

So far, Hawaii has "not seen a wave of consequence, which is a great relief to us," Hawaiian Governor Josh Green told reporters during a press conference. He said Hawaii registered two waves through the Midway Atoll, one measuring 30 centimeters and the other 3 feet, he said.

Green added that there was no major wave activity that was noticed past the "Big Island," and that the state wouldn't be "all clear" until two to three hours later. The conference was held at 8:20 p.m. local time.

Japan issued tsunami warnings for much of its eastern coastline, and lower level advisories in other parts of the country, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The agency estimated that a tsunami would strike Hokkaido, the area of Japan that is closest to the quake's epicenter, at 10 a.m. Japan local time, with an estimated maximum height of 3 meters.

Kiyomoto Masashi, an official from the Japan Meteorological Agency, cautioned people in coastal areas to move to higher ground, adding that tsunamis can occur for more than a day after the quake, according to local media.

A tsunami that averaged 3 meters to 4 meters (10-13 feet) was recorded in Kamchatka, Reuters reported, citing a Russian official.

Waves in Japan have been smaller, ranging from 30 centimeters to 1.3 meters, with the highest at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK Japan.

Several flights to Hawaii have returned to the U.S. mainland or been diverted, according to Hawaiian local media, citing a joint statement made by Hawaiian and Alaskan Airlines. Other flights have been put on hold as the carriers await more information, it said.

"We are monitoring a tsunami warning for the Hawaiian Islands and portions of the state of Alaska and assessing our flight operations. We are holding flight departures to the Islands on Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines," the carriers said in a joint statement, according to Hawaii News Now.

All flights in and out of the Hawaiian island of Maui have been canceled, Green said during the press conference.

A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves, with crests that can last from five to 15 minutes or longer, according to the Hawaii's Maui County website.

"The danger may persist for many more hours ... Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands so all shores are at risk no matter which direction they face," it states.