Communities Evacuate Following Strong Alaska Earthquake
Residents along a 700-mile stretch of Alaska’s southern coast were urged to seek higher ground after a significant offshore earthquake struck on Wednesday. Fortunately, officials downgraded the tsunami warning shortly after, and there were no reports of major damage.
The earthquake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 7.3, occurred at 12:37 p.m. local time, south of Sand Point, a small community on Popof Island in the Aleutian chain. The Alaska Earthquake Center monitored the situation closely.
“The region has experienced other earthquakes without significant tsunami waves, but we take these events seriously. Our priority is ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Jeremy Zidek from Alaska’s emergency management division.
The quake was felt in places as far away as Anchorage, nearly 600 miles to the northeast.
The National Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for a wide area, stretching from southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass. This area includes larger communities like Kodiak, which has a population of around 5,200. However, the tsunami warning was quickly downgraded and then canceled shortly after 2:45 p.m.
In Sand Point, the highest tidal wave reported was just under 2.5 inches above normal. “There’s no damage at the airport or harbor,” said Sand Point Police Chief Benjamin Allen. “In fact, there’s not much damage at all.” Some minor damage was reported at a local store, where broken bottles created quite a mess.
In nearby Unalaska, officials advised residents in low-lying areas to move to at least 50 feet above sea level. King Cove’s officials also alerted coastal residents to move to higher ground.
Tourists visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center had to evacuate when they heard the earthquake announcement. They moved uphill until hearing the all-clear siren.
The National Weather Service reassured the public that no tsunami threat existed for other U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts, including Washington, Oregon, and California.
Alaska’s southern coast is known for its seismic activity, with this being the fifth earthquake of magnitude 7 or greater in the area since 2020. State seismologist Michael West noted that this seismic activity is not isolated. “Something’s moving in this area,” he said, indicating the potential for larger quakes in the future.
Alaska remains a region of concern for significant seismic events, and continued monitoring will be essential for ensuring public safety.
