Alaska’s coastal regions were on alert for a tsunami Wednesday following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the Ariuya Islands, according to officials.
The earthquake occurred at 12:38 PM local time (4:38 PM ET), with its epicenter located 55 miles south of Sandpoint, a community on Popf Island. The quake was recorded at a depth of 12 miles.
Tsunami data was not immediately available, and effects for Kodiak Island were not anticipated until 2:40 PM local time (6:40 PM ET).
Although no large-scale flooding is expected, the Tsunami Warning Center stated that dangerous currents and waves could pose risks to those in close proximity.
The initial tsunami warning has since been adjusted to a tsunami advisory.
These advisories span various coastlines, from Unimak Pass in the Aleutians to the entrance of Kennedy, located 40 miles south of Homer.
Emergency personnel in Kodiak, a city of around 5,500 that lies about 250 miles south of Anchorage, announced that shelters would be opened and sirens sounded prior to the warning being downgraded.
“The sirens are sounding, and remain vigilant if you’re near the coast,” Kodiak Island Emergency Management advised on social media.
Emergency officials reported no threat to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, following the earthquake.
Debi Schmidt, the city manager of Sand Point, discussed the earthquake with NBC affiliate Ktuu, describing it as the strongest quake she had ever experienced.
“I was at home for lunch when the house began to shake; things were falling, and the cupboard door swung open,” she recounted to the station. “Fortunately, there was no damage.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
