Evacuations were ordered across the Pacific Ocean after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday.

Tsunami waves have been reported in Hokkaido, northern Japan, and in Kamchatka, far-eastern Russia, following the 8.8 magnitude quake.

Residents across Japan's Pacific coast rushed to higher ground on Wednesday as tsunami warnings following a massive earthquake off Russia's Far East resurfaced painful memories and lessons from the devastating 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster.