A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on the afternoon of July 16, sparking immediate tsunami warnings for nearby coastal communities.
The tremor, recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), occurred southeast of Sand Point in the Aleutian Islands, a region known for seismic activity. While the threat of a catastrophic tsunami subsided, officials closely monitored aftershocks and currents that could still pose risks to the coastal population.
Earthquake Strikes the Aleutians
The earthquake occurred at approximately 12:37 PM local time, with its epicenter located about 55 miles south of Sand Point. According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake was felt throughout the southern Alaska region, including the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island.
Following the initial tremor, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass. Authorities advised residents to move inland and to higher ground, fearing the waves could bring dangerous flooding.
However, as the situation developed, the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory by 1:50 PM, and by 2:43 PM, it was officially cancelled. Emergency officials stressed that while hazardous currents or waves posed a risk to people near the shoreline, the threat of widespread inundation was unlikely.
According to the National Tsunami Warning Center, the cancellation was issued after confirming that sea level data showed no significant tsunami activity in the region.
No Significant Damage Reported, Aftershocks Continue
Despite the initial alarm, no major damage was reported in affected communities, including the city of Kodiak, where emergency shelters were set up. The Alaska Earthquake Center confirmed multiple aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 5.2, but no further tsunami warnings were issued.
Alaska has experienced similarly powerful earthquakes in the past, notably the 9.2 magnitude Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964, the largest in U.S. history. Though the 7.3 tremor was significant, it did not reach the levels of devastation that some experts had feared.
Emergency management teams in Anchorage, the state’s largest city, confirmed that there was no immediate threat to the area from the quake or the tsunami alert.
