The tsunami from Chile’s deadly earthquake hit Japan’s main islands and the shores of Russia today but the smaller-than-expected waves prompted the lifting of a Pacific-wide alert.

The first tsunami from an earthquake in Chile hit Japan’s outlying islands today, but while the initial waves were small and most of the Pacific islands already in its path were spared damage, officials warned a bigger surge could follow.

A MAGNITUDE 8 quake rocked Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido yesterday, injuring hundreds, cutting off electricity and water to thousands, igniting a spectacular oil-tank blaze and collapsing part of an airport roof.