New Delhi, July 30 -- One of the world's strongest earthquakes struck Russia's Far East early Wednesday, an 8.8-magnitude temblor that caused small tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska and prompted warnings for Hawaii, North and Central America and Pacific islands south toward New Zealand.

People were advised to move to higher ground in multiple locations, but places where tsunami waves have already washed ashore have reported no significant damage so far.

Waves less than a foot (under 30 centimeters) above tide levels were observed in the Alaskan communities of Amchitka and Adak, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska.

A tsunami of 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) was detected at the Ish...