A strong 7.5 earthquake struck southern Alaska a short time ago, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Tsunami Warning for the region. The Tsunami Warning is in effect for south Alaska and the Alaskan Peninsula, with the Pacific coasts from Kennedy Entrance, Alaska (40 miles southwest of Homer) to Unimak Pass, Alaska (80 miles northeast of Unalaska.)
The 7.5 earthquake struck at 12:55 pm local time, 1:55 pm PT, 4:55 pm ET near 54.7 north, 159.6 west at a depth of 25 miles. The epicenter is roughly 55 miles southeast of Sand Point, Alaska or 575 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
A tsunami from this type of earthquake is expected to impact Sand Point, Cold Bay, and Kodiak in Alaska.
The National Weather Service says “actions to protect human life and property will vary within tsunami warning areas.” They warn that if you find yourself in a tsunami warning area, you should:
- Evacuate inland or to higher ground above and beyond designated tsunami hazard zones or move to an upper floor of a multi-story building depending on your situation.
- Move out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays and inlets.
- Be alert to and follow instructions from your local emergency officials because they may have more detailed or specific information for your location.
- If you feel a strong earthquake or extended ground rolling take immediate protective actions such as moving inland and/or uphill preferably by foot.
- Boat operators, where time and conditions permit, move your boat out to sea to a depth of at least 180 feet.
- If at sea avoid entering shallow water, harbors, marinas, bays, and inlets to avoid floating and submerged debris and strong currents.
- Do not go to the shore to observe the tsunami.
- Do not return to the coast until local emergency officials indicate it is safe to do so.
While the Tsunami Warning is up for portions of Alaska, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is no threat of tsunami in Hawaii or the U.S. West Coast from this earthquake event at this time.
