Massive quake between Russia, Alaska

The tsunami threat from a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8 which struck between Alaska and Russia has passed, the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says.

The quake struck in the northern Pacific Ocean between the tip of the Aleutian Islands and Russia's Kamchatka, according to the US Geological Survey.

The earthquake struck at 1.34 on Tuesday local time (0934 AEST) some 125 miles (200 km) from the city of Nikol'skoye on Bering island off the Kamchatka Peninsula.

The epicentre was west of Attu, the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of Alaska's remote Aleutian Islands.

The earthquake, initially reported as a magnitude 7.7, was very shallow - only 10 km below the seabed, which would have amplified its effect, but it was quite far from any mainland.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially warned hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 300 km of epicentre.

The most recent advice from the centre said the threat had now passed.

The quake was followed by several aftershocks, including a couple above magnitude 5.0.

Reuters