Explained | Russia: 8.8 Magnitude earthquake triggered tsunami warnings. Here's all you need to know

Russia's Far East witnessed of the world's strongest earthquakes. It recorded an intense magnitude of 8.8. It set off tsunami warnings.

Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, told AP news agency that the recent earthquake was “absolutely notable” and “a significant earth event.

Largest since 2004

It was reported that the recent earthquake that hit Petropavlovsk, a city located in the Far East of Russia's, was the largest since 2004. That year, the country was shaken by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Indonesia. The natural disaster triggered an Indian Ocean tsunami, that cost the lives of around 2,20,000 people.

Should Indians be worried now?

Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) released a statement that the Russian earthquake would not bring tsunami threat to the Indian coast. "Based on pre-run model scenarios, there is no threat to India," the centre said in a bulletin issued in the morning.

However, the massive quake resulted in tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska, with further warnings issued to neighbouring regions like Hawaii, North and Central America and Pacific islands south toward New Zealand.

What is a tsunami?

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) describes a tsunami as a "series of enormous waves created by disturbances near or below the ocean." It further notes that these waves are of up to 30M or more.

"Tsunami waves may travel as fast as jet planes over deep waters," states US National Ocean Service, adding that tsunamis are often referred to as "tidal waves but the name is discouraged by oceanographers because tides have little to do with these giant waves."

What do tsunami warnings mean?

Tsunami messages or alerts are issued by the tsunami warning centres to notify emergency managers, local officials, and the public.

The National Weather Service in the US points out that a tsunami warning signals danger and demands action. If there's a tsunami warning, it suggests a tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Meanwhile, a tsunami advisory indicates potential for strong currents.

Your immediate action after tsunami alert?

In case you are in the area which has been alerted for tsunami, authorities urge moving to higher ground or walk away from any labelled tsunami hazard zone. It also often noted that people stay at least 100 feet (30M) away from inland waterways and marinas to be safe from flooding or strong water currents.

More details from Russian earthquake that led to tsunami warnings

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered 4-metre (13-foot) tsunami waves and sparked evacuation orders in Hawaii and across the Pacific on Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported.

In Hawaii, coastal residents were told to get to high ground or the fourth floor or above of buildings, and the US Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbours as the tsunami approached. "Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected," the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said on X.

The storm in China, named Typhoon Co-May, coincided with a tsunami triggered by the earthquake that hit Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, a region located about 4,000 km from Shanghai.