A massive 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Alaska on Wednesday afternoon, triggering an urgent tsunami warning from federal officials.
The quake hit around 12:37 p.m. local time in the Gulf of Alaska, roughly 54 miles south of Sand Point, a small town on Popof Island near the Aleutian Peninsula. That’s about 600 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Tsunami Warning Issued
The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center issued a broad alert affecting a 700-mile stretch from southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass. Larger communities like Kodiak (pop. 5,200) were included in the warning zone.
Authorities in Unalaska, King Cove, and other coastal towns urged residents to flee to higher ground — at least 50 feet above sea level or 1 mile inland. In Homer, police issued a warning on Facebook telling locals to evacuate.
Anchorage, the state’s largest city, confirmed no immediate danger to residents, but the warning covered much of the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands.
Quake Details
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Originally listed as 7.2, later upgraded to 7.3
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Occurred at a depth of 12 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
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Tremors were felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula
West Coast on Alert
Officials in Washington state are assessing whether the tsunami warning will impact the Pacific Northwest. The entire region lies along the Ring of Fire — the most earthquake-prone region on Earth, responsible for 90% of global quakes.
Alaska’s Shaky History
Alaska is no stranger to major seismic events:
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In 2018, a 7.1 quake rocked Anchorage, injuring over 100 people.
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In 1964, a catastrophic 9.2 earthquake near Anchorage killed 130 and remains the strongest quake ever recorded in North American history.
