Alaska Earthquake Prompts Tsunami Warning For Region

A tsunami warning was issued for southern Alaska after a huge earthquake estimating 7.5 extents struck Alaska on Monday, provoking a tidal wave cautioning for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.

According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the 7.5 Richter quake was widely felt in communities along the southern coast, including Sand Point, Chignik, Unalaska, and the Kenai Peninsula. A magnitude 5.2 was reported 11 minutes later, centered roughly in the same area.

At least eight aftershocks in the hour after the first earthquake were mentioned in the data of the U.S. Geological Survey, including five that measured between 5.2 and 5.9 in magnitude. Just after 3 p.m. PT, the California Office of Emergency Services tweeted that there was no tsunami threat to California at this time and the Washington Department of Natural Resources stated that the Alaskan tsunami warning was not expected to threaten the Washington coast but also reminded Washingtonians to check evacuation routes and make sure that they have sufficient emergency supplies.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reported a tsunami advisory was in effect for Hawaii hours after the Alaska earthquake. It tweeted, "That means that there is a possible hazard to swimmers and boaters in the state, but no threat of flooding". King Cove officials sent out warnings urging residents in the coastal area to move inland to higher ground to ensure public safety. The National Tsunami Warning Center says no tsunami was created by the earthquake. Alaska Earthquake Center also confirmed, a light earthquake shook Alaska’s major population center, but there were no reports of damage.