In Graphics | Understanding the anatomy of a tsunami as one shakes up Russia, Japan, US

A massive earthquake, among the strongest ever recorded, struck off Russia’s sparsely populated Far East early on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves that reached Japan, Hawaii, and the US West Coast.

Several people were injured — none seriously—and so far, no significant damage has been reported.

Authorities warned that the impact of the 8.8-magnitude quake could last for hours, urging millions in vulnerable coastal areas to evacuate or move to higher ground.

However, the threat appeared to ease in some regions as officials downgraded tsunami warnings in Hawaii, Japan and parts of Russia.

On Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, residents rushed inland as ports flooded near the quake’s epicentre, while foamy waves lapped at northern Japan’s shores.

In Honolulu, cars clogged roads and highways — even away from the coastline — as people sought safety.

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Evacuation centres in Japan saw a surge of people, their fears stoked by memories of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that caused nuclear meltdowns.

Authorities confirmed there were no operational issues at Japan’s nuclear power plants on Wednesday.

Russian officials reported several injuries, all said to be stable, without releasing many specifics.

In Japan, at least one person was reported injured.

Tsunami waves measuring 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) hit Kamchatka, while northern Japan’s Hokkaido saw waves around 60 centimetres (2 feet).

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Along the US West Coast, including San Francisco, waves between 2 and 5 feet were recorded early Wednesday.

Much of the West Coast — including California, Oregon, Washington state, and Canada’s British Columbia — remained under a tsunami advisory.

We take a look at the anatomy of a tsunami in graphics:

With inputs from agencies