A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, according to the US Geological Survey. The authorities initially issued a tsunami warning but later downgraded it to an advisory, and then withdrew it entirely.
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said.
Show additional content?
This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”.
Always show content from X / Twitter.
The earthquake took place at approximately 12:37pm local time (2037 GMT) with the epicenter situated some 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of the island town of Sand Point, with a depth of 20.1 kilometers, the USGS said.
Tsunami warning withdrawn
Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning, later downgraded it to an advisory, and eventually withdrew the advisory.
“The Tsunami Advisory is canceled for the coastal areas of South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula,” said the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) said two hours after the earthquake.
According to the USGS, the initial earthquake was followed by over a dozen aftershocks, the strongest of which measured 5.2 in magnitude.
A small tsunami, reaching a maximum height of 0.2 feet (6.1 centimeters), was recorded at Sand Point.
People advised to move away from bodies of water
The NTWC had earlier issued an advisory for “South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, Pacific coasts from Kennedy Entrance, Alaska (40 miles southwest of Homer) to Unimak Pass, Alaska (80 miles northeast of Unalaska).”
People in the area were advised to move away from bodies of water, including beaches, harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays, and inlets.
“Do not re-occupy hazard zones until local emergency officials indicate it is safe to do so,” the NTWC said.
In July 2023, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the Alaska Peninsula, which is part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. No major damage was reported following the tremor.
Edited by: John Silk
DW News
