EARTHQUAKE; 8.2 MAGNITUDE HITS ALASKA, ISSUED TSUNAMI WARNING
July 29: A tsunami view was issued for Hawaii on Wednesday evening following a large earthquake off the Alaska peninsula.
According to Honolulu Star Advertiser, The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center listed the magnitude as 8.1 and said an investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii.
But the US Geological Survey said the quake was magnitude 8.2 and hit 56 miles (91 kilometers) east southeast of Perryville, Alaska.
Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter, PTWC said.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been widely felt by almost everyone in the area of the epicenter. It might have caused light to moderate damage.
Moderate shaking probably occurred in Perryville, Chignik Lake and Sandpoint.
The US government’s National Tsunami Warning Center immediately issued a tsunami alert for south Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula.
It initially warned of hazardous waves. About two hours later it gave an update that the forecast maximum height of any tsunami would be less than one foot (30 centimeters) above tide levels.
Tsunami warning sirens were broadcast across Kodiak, an island with a population of about 6,000 people, along Alaska’s coastline.
The warning center said any potential tsunami would hit Kodiak about 11:55 pm.
Videos posted on social media by journalists and residents in Kodiak showed people driving away from the coast as warning sirens could be heard.
8.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Alaskan Peninsula, Tsunami Warning Issued
Alaska Earthquake: The earthquake hit 91 kilometers southeast of the town of Perryville with a tsunami warning in effect for south Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula.
Earthquake in Alaska: 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off Alaskan peninsula. An 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the Alaskan peninsula late Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said, prompting a tsunami warning.
The earthquake hit 56 miles (91 kilometers) southeast of the town of Perryville, the USGS said.
The quake struck at 10:15 pm Wednesday (0615 GMT Thursday). Perryville is a small village about 500 miles from Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city.
The US government’s National Tsunami Warning Center immediately issued a tsunami alert for south Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula.
It initially warned of hazardous waves. About two hours later it gave an update that the forecast maximum height of any tsunami would be less than one foot (30 centimeters) above tide levels.
Tsunami warning sirens were broadcast across Kodiak, an island with a population of about 6,000 people, along Alaska’s coastline.
The warning center said any potential tsunami would hit Kodiak about 11:55 pm.
That time passed without any tsunami, according to a broadcaster on local radio station KMXT.
Videos posted on social media by journalists and residents in Kodiak showed people driving away from the coast as warning sirens could be heard.
A tsunami watch was initially issued for Hawaii, meaning residents were required to stay away from beaches, but was lifted about two hours later.
Five aftershocks were recorded within 90 minutes of the earthquake, the largest with a magnitude of 6.2, according to the USGS.
Alaska is part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.
On March 27, 1964 at 5:36pm local time: An earthquake of magnitude 9.2 occurred in the Prince William Sound region of Alaska. The earthquake rupture started approximately 25 km beneath the surface, with its epicenter about 6 miles (10 km) east of the mouth of College Fiord, 56 miles (90 km) west of Valdez and 75 miles (120 km) east of Anchorage. The earthquake lasted approximately 4.5 minutes and is the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. history. It is also the second largest earthquake ever recorded, next to the M9.5 earthquake in Chile in 1960.
Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America.
It devastated Anchorage and unleashed a tsunami that slammed the Gulf of Alaska, the US west coast, and Hawaii.
More than 250 people were killed by the quake and the tsunami.
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake also caused tsunami waves in Alaska’s southern coast in October, but no casualties were reported.