The initial reports had an 8.0 earthquake hitting Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, a city in Kamchatka, in eastern Russia, Tuesday evening (early Wednesday afternoon local time). Immediately, there were tsunami warnings issued throughout the Pacific. 

Before too long, however, the quake was upgraded to an 8.7. 

Video of flooding along the Russian shoreline from the first tsunami waves showed significant damage to structures. 

There have since been multiple aftershocks in the region, ranging from 5.4 to 6.9. 

A tsunami warning for most of Alaska has since been called off, but Japan, Hawaii, American Samoa, and the West Coast of the U.S. remain under either advisories or warnings. (If you're in a potentially affected area, click here for more information.)

RELATED: Wow! Watch an Earthquake Move the Earth in Real Time

Alaska's Tsunami Warning Fizzled, and So Do the Left's NPR Claims

And now the quake has been upgraded to an 8.8.

As my buddy streiff reminded me, the Richter Scale is logarithmic rather than linear, so each of those upgrades is hugely significant. 

Again, if you're in one of the affected areas, please stay alert and get to higher ground if necessary. 

We'll continue to monitor the story and provide updates as warranted.