• Source:JND
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Alaska Earthquake:  A strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast, briefly triggering a tsunami alert for the Alaska Peninsula and South Alaska region on Wednesday. The quake was at 12:37 am local time (2037 GMT), with its epicenter roughly 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of Sand Point, a tiny island town, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The powerful quake had a relatively shallow depth of 20.1 kilometers, increasing the potential for stronger surface shaking.

After the tremor, the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) issued a warning for the Pacific coasts from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, including Sand Point, Kodiak, and Cold Bay. The warning was subsequently downgraded to an advisory and finally cancelled. A tsunami was initially confirmed, the NTWC said, adding that “some impacts are expected.” Emergency authorities advised residents in at-risk areas such as King Cove and Unalaska to move to higher ground until the threat passed.

Dramatic Video Shows House and Cars Shaking

A six-second video clip, posted by the Alaska Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, captured stark images of homes and parked vehicles shaking violently as the event unfolded. The brief six-second clip, taken by a resident in Sand Point, has gone viral on social media. “We are grateful to those who shared their experiences,it helps people understand what an earthquake is like and how to stay prepared,” the Earthquake Center wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Fortunately, no injuries or significant damage have been reported to date, officials confirmed.

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Alaska lies within the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, an area prone to frequent and powerful earthquakes. The state experienced North America’s strongest recorded quake in 1964, a 9.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated Anchorage and triggered a massive tsunami, killing more than 250 people. More recently, in July 2023, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula without causing significant damage.

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Authorities emphasized being prepared as Alaska still grapples with seismic activity. "We have had earthquakes in this area that don't always trigger tsunamis, but it's important to take warnings seriously," said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for Alaska's emergency management department. Residents are informed to keep up with the Anchorage National Weather Service and the Alaska Earthquake Center for aftershocks or updates.