Concerns over nuclear power plant as huge tsunami warnings issued across the world following massive earthquake

Japanese citizens have been put on high alert amid fears the country could be hit by a tsunami - and a nuclear power plant could be in trouble.

One of the strongest quakes ever recorded struck Russia’s far east early on Wednesday (July 30) with a magnitude of 8.8, which has sent waves across the Pacific Ocean.

There are now fears that Japan and America will be victim to tsunamis as a result of the historic quake which has promoted evacuations.

Almost two million people in Japan have been told to evacuate, 4,000 of which were employees at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

As per the BBC, the plant's operator said that staff had been evacuated as a precaution and that there were no 'abnormalities' detected.

The tsunami warnings will be particularly harrowing for Fukushima residents to hear after the area of Japan was hit with a catastrophic tsunami following a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in 2011 that claimed the lives of more than 18,000 people, says the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Employees at the Fukushima nuclear plant have been evacuated (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The tsunami sent the Fukushima nuclear plant into meltdown after it's emergency generators were disabled from overheating as a result of the plant flooding.

To this day the devastating 2011 earthquake remains to be the largest magnitude ever recorded in Japan. It was also the fourth-largest in the world since 1900.

In a recent update, the UN nuclear watchdog has said that there's been 'no safety impact for nuclear power plants along the Pacific coast', BBC reports.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has tweeted: "IAEA is in contact with Japan national authorities about 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's east coast & resulting tsunami.

"Initial reports indicate no safety impact for nuclear power plants along Pacific coast. ALPS treated water discharge halted in line w/ safety protocols."

Japan downgraded the tsunami threat level to 'advisory' for the whole country by 9pm local time.

In the US, advisory means: "Strong currents and waves dangerous to those in or very near water possible, stay out of water, away from beaches and waterways."

READ MORE:

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Meanwhile 'warning', the highest alert given by the US National Weather Service, means: "Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents possible, move to high ground or inland."

The high tsunami conditions are expected to continue throughout Wednesday.

Alerts have been issued in parts of China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Peru and the Galapagos Islands as well.

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