MOSCOW, September 17. /TASS/. Metre-high waves are expected off Russia's eastern coast from the tsunami that formed after a powerful earthquake in Chile, and could grow stronger if tidal waves are superimposed, Russia’s Sakhalin Tsunami Center suggests.

The power of the earthquake gave formal grounds to announce a tsunami warning on Russia’s Kuril Islands, center chief Tatyana Iverskaya told via Skype a Moscow conference on forecasting emergency situations in Russia.

But this was not yet confirmed and the waves were being monitored, she said. A final decision would be made after the tsunami passed points of control, firstly off the Hawaiian Islands, the specialist added.

"We will wait for that and then say definitely whether a tsunami warning will be announced or only that port areas will be at risk," Iverskaya said.