One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded has struck in Russia’s far east, sparking tsunami warnings across the Pacific and in the US.

People have been told to get to safety in higher ground after the 8.8 tremor started a tsunami in the northern Pacific.

The first tsunami waves landed on Russia’s Kuril Islands on the Kamchatka peninsula, which sits on the ‘Ring of Fire,’ where a state of emergency has been declared following the earthquake.

The US West Coast is on high alert over tsunami fears as the first waves were recorded in San Francisco and Northern California.

The National Weather Service warned: ‘Waves will continue to build in through the night and will become more dangerous as we approach high tide. Stay away from beaches!’

Residents in Hawaii were told to immediately leave coastal areas ahead of waves, which have now landed. The US National Weather Service warned that the danger from strong currents, debris and high tides can continue for hours.

Nearly two million people have evacuated on Japan’s east coast as tsunami waves could reach almost 10 feet after first waves arrived in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido this morning. Beaches were deserted as people took cover, some on building roofs.

Japanese public transport has a strong reputation for running extremely punctually – but even the most efficient systems face disruption from a tsunami.

Ferries, trains and airports in the affected area suspending or delaying some operations, including parts of Tokyo’s famous bullet train service.

A tsunami of 2ft was recorded at Hamanaka town in Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Several areas reported smaller waves including 8in in Tokyo Bay five hours after the quake.

A team of surgeons continuing their work while their hospital is shaken by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake has gone viral and drawn praise and admiration.

A clip of the surgery, taking place at an unnamed hospital in the Kamchatka region of Russia, showed the team of doctors calmly continuing their work while other staff held the operating table still and secured other equipment.

The local health ministry said the patient is doing well following the surgery.