A powerful earthquake that jolted northern Japan on Dec. 8 and triggered tsunami warnings is not expected to impact the United States, officials said.

According to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center, no tsunamis are anticipated along the coasts of Alaska, Hawaii or the West Coast states of California, Oregon and Washington.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan's Aomori prefecture shortly after 11 p.m. local time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The agency initially said a tsunami as high as 10 feet could hit Japan's northeastern coast. Hours after the earthquake, tsunamis 7 to 27 inches high were observed at several ports.

The temblor triggered evacuation orders and prompted travel delays throughout northern Japan.

Officials told reporters they were assessing the damage and would provide updates. NHK, a public broadcaster, reported that multiple people were injured at a hotel in Aomori.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Earthquake prompts tsunami warnings in Japan. Will the US see impacts?

Reporting by Christopher Cann, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect