A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Alaska’s southern coast on Wednesday, prompting widespread evacuations along a 700-mile stretch of the region. Residents were ordered to higher ground as a precautionary measure following the earthquake’s powerful tremors. However, the tsunami warning was swiftly downgraded, and no immediate reports of significant damage surfaced.
The earthquake, which occurred at 12:37 p.m. local time, hit south of Sand Point, a community with approximately 600 residents on Popof Island in the Aleutian chain. According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the first tsunami waves were expected to reach the area. However, just one hour later, the state’s emergency management division reported no damage.
“We have seen other earthquakes in the area that have not generated significant tsunami waves, but we’re treating it seriously and going through our procedures, making sure communities are notified so they can activate their evacuation procedures,” said Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the emergency management division.
The earthquake’s impact was felt as far away as Anchorage, nearly 600 miles northeast of the epicenter. As a result of the earthquake, the National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning stretching from 40 miles southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass, covering a distance of approximately 700 miles. The warning impacted several communities, including Kodiak, which has a population of around 5,200 residents. However, just under an hour later, the warning was downgraded to an advisory and then canceled before 2:45 p.m. local time.
In Unalaska, a fishing town with a population of approximately 4,100, officials advised people in potentially affected zones to move at least 50 feet above sea level or one mile inland. Similarly, in King Cove, a small community of 870 residents on the Alaska Peninsula’s south side, authorities urged residents to evacuate to higher ground in the wake of the earthquake.
The National Weather Service quickly reassured the public through social media posts that there was no tsunami threat to other U.S. or Canadian Pacific coastlines, including Washington, Oregon, and California.
Alaska’s southern coast is known for its seismic activity, and this earthquake was the fifth in the region exceeding a magnitude of 7 since 2020. According to Michael West, a state seismologist, “Something’s moving in this area. I would not call this an isolated earthquake. It appears to be part of a larger sequence spanning the last several years.”
Seismologists remain attentive to this region’s potential for larger earthquakes, particularly those that could lead to devastating tsunamis. “This area has been and remains capable of larger earthquakes and earthquakes capable of significant tsunami damage,” West added.
Ongoing Seismic Activity in Alaska
This earthquake serves as a reminder of the ongoing seismic activity in Alaska’s southern coast. With the region’s history of frequent, powerful quakes, officials and seismologists continue to monitor the situation closely, knowing that the area remains vulnerable to larger earthquakes and the potential for significant tsunami risks. Authorities have reassured residents and visitors that safety procedures are in place, and preparations continue to safeguard coastal communities.
