The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning on Wednesday for parts of Alaska’s coast following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in the region. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center later downgraded the warning to an advisory before canceling the alert.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake occurred on Wednesday roughly 54 miles south of Sand Point, which is located off the Alaska Peninsula.
The Associated Press reported that the Alaska Earthquake Center confirmed that Wednesday’s earthquake took place at 12:37 p.m. (local time) and that 40 aftershocks were documented in the first three hours following the initial earthquake.
In a statement obtained by The Associated Press, Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson fro the state’s emergency management division, said, “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.”
According to Live Now Fox, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for a roughly 700-mile stretch of Alaska’s coast, including the area of Kodiak, which has a population of approximately 5,200 people.
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In an alert on X, formerly Twitter, the National Tsunami Warning Center said, “A TSUNAMI WARNING is posted for portions of Alaska following a M7.2 earthquake 50 miles S of Sand Point, Alaska, at 12:38pm AKDT July 16.”
Roughly an hour after issuing a tsunami warning, the National Tsunami Warning Center changed the alert to an advisory, and less than an hour after the warning was changed to an advisory, the National Tsunami Warning Center canceled the alert.
According to Fox Weather, the Tsunami Warning Center said that while a tsunami was “generated” by Wednesday’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake, the tsunami “no longer poses a threat” to Alaska. However, the Tsunami Warning Center added that certain areas in Alaska could “continue to see small sea level changes.”
While Wednesday’s tsunami warning was ultimately canceled, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it evacuated personnel from Base Kodiak and had two air crews prepared to offer assistance.
“USCG is responding to NWS Tsunami Warning for portions of AK,” U.S. Coast Guard Arctic stated in a post on social media. “Heed warnings of NWS and local officials. USCG evacuating personnel from Base Kodiak to higher ground & launched 2 ready aircrews.”
