July 29 (UPI) -- A strong magnitude-8.7 earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday morning, prompting the Japanese government to issue tsunami warnings and evacuations along its northeastern coast, while warnings have been issued for much of the U.S. West Coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning of tsunamis as high as 3 meters, or nearly 9 feet, from northeastern Hokkaido southward to Wakayama Prefecture.
Tsunami warnings order the immediate evacuation from coastal regions and riverside areas to safer, higher ground.
Tsunami advisories have been issued for the rest of the southeastern coast of the country.
Japan Safe Travel, a division of the Asian nation's tourism organization, is warning that tsunamis are expected to strike the country between 1 and 3 meters starting at about 10 a.m. local time until at least 1:30 p.m.
