US warns Australia could be hit by tsunami swells following mega quake in Russia
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has added Australia to its advisory, saying waves of 0.3m to 1m are possible along the east coast after the magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Russia.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology's Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories as a result of the Kamchatka earthquake.
Japan, Russia and the entire west coast of America have been placed on tsunami watch, which sparked fears for millions as the first waves struck Russia and Japan.
The earthquake hit Kamchatka in Russia's east about 9.24pm AEST, triggering tsunami warnings across the globe.
Buildings in Russia were captured on video already under water after the first waves hit, with several people taken to hospital with various injuries.
It is the largest earthquake to hit since 2011, when a 9.1 megaquake hit northeast Japan and left 19,747 people either dead or missing.
At a magnitude 8.8, it is tied as the sixth strongest earthquake in history.
A 2010 earthquake in Chile which was also 8.8 magnitude tragically killed 523 people and destroyed more than 370,000 homes.
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre has said there is no tsunami threat to Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology said tsunamis were recorded in Australia about once every 2 years.
It said major land flood is rare, but even relatively small tsunamis can be dangerous to swimmers and boaters.
Australia has an advanced early warning system to warn of tsunami threats to Australian coastal communities.
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