An 8.8-magnitude earthquake, one of the largest in the past century, struck off the coast of Russia this week, prompting tsunami warnings worldwide.

Russia’sKamchatka Peninsula was rocked by a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake onTuesday, July 29, sparking fears of a destructive tsunami across the Pacific.But the waves that reached Hawaii and the US West Coast were far smaller thanexpected and caused no damage.

Officials from Japan to California issued warnings after an 8.8-magnitude quake off Russia’s coast. Hours later, there were no immediate reports of major damage, although some areas remained on alert.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula shook the Pacific, but its tsunami fizzled. A geologist explains why.

The magnitude 8.8 quake is believed to be the joint sixth-largest on record, though only minor injuries near the epicenter have been reported.