Russian agencies have warned a new powerful earthquake near the Pacific's Kuril Islands could trigger a tsunami wave up to 19 centimeters (7.5 inches). A magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Russia's Kuril islands on Sunday, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Pacific Tsunami Warning System gauged the quake at 7.0.

A powerful earthquake and a rare volcanic eruption shook Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands, prompting tsunami warnings and raising concerns among emergency officials and seismologists.

Tsunami alerts were issued for Alaska and Hawaii on Tuesday after a major, 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia, according to officials.