SAND POINT, Alaska – The latest Alaska earthquake—a powerful 7.3 magnitude tremor shook the region near a group of islands off the coast on Wednesday afternoon, briefly sparking concerns as it triggered a small tsunami, officials confirmed.
The latest Alaska earthquake, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, rattled the area near a group of coastal islands on Wednesday afternoon, sending a wave of concern through local communities after it triggered a small tsunami, officials said.
Just after the shaking stopped, NOAA’s National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Alaska coastline, stretching from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass. The alert covered key areas including Kodiak Island, Chignik, and Cold Bay. In response, the U.S. Coast Guard evacuated staff from its Kodiak base to higher ground and had two air crews on standby, ready to assist if needed.
Officials have lifted the tsunami warning issued following Alaska’s latest earthquake, saying the threat has passed. “A tsunami was generated by this event, but it no longer poses a threat,” the Tsunami Warning Center confirmed. They noted, however, that some areas along the coast may still experience slight changes in sea level.
Authorities have not reported any early damage caused by the powerful quake or the resulting tsunami. “About 80% of all earthquakes in the U.S. happen right here in Alaska.”
West explained earthquakes are common in that part of Alaska, but most are weaker or go unfelt.
He added that early signs suggest we were lucky today.
Significant shifts in the Earth’s surface, such as earthquakes or landslides, trigger powerful waves known as tsunamis.
West mentioned that seismologists and the Tsunami Warning Center will continue to monitor and collect information about the earthquake.
