Strongest Earthquake In Decades Hits Alaska, Tsunami Warnings Lifted

An 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska late Wednesday night, national authorities said.

The earthquake occurred 75 miles southeast of the small town of Chignik, Alaska, at 10:15 p.m. with a depth of 20 feet, according to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC).

Waves measured less than a foot above tidal level were seen in Sand Point, Old Harbor, King Cove, Kodiak, Unalaska and Alitak Bay, according to the NTWC.

The NTWC first issued a tsunami warning which was then lifted as authorities said there were no additional threats from the earthquake, the NTWC said.

“The tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed. Readings from deep ocean gauges verify that a significant tsunami is not expected for the coastal areas covered by this message,” the NTWC said in a statement.

The tsunami delivered two strong aftershocks which had an initial magnitude of 6.2 and 5.6, the U.S. Geological Survey  (USGS) said in a statement.

The Alaskan coast is prone to large earthquakes. A 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in May 2021 and the same region saw the second-largest earthquake recorded in March 1964 with a magnitude of 9.2, according to the USGS. 

There have been no injuries or damages reported and several towns on the Alaskan coast were ordered to evacuate, according to Reuters.

“There might be some minor damages in some places (in Alaska), but a significant tsunami and significant damage from something like that is not expected,” Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the NTWC, told Reuters.