The incident along Alaska’s coast triggered a tsunami advisory. All we know so far | World news

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southern Alaska late Saturday, prompting a brief tsunami warning that sent residents into a state of alert. However, monitoring bodies quickly canceled the advisory an hour later, providing a sigh of relief for those in the affected areas.

The event moved across an area, including the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Peninsula, and Cook Inlet, leaving no doubt about its power and reach, as confirmed by the Alaska Earthquake Center.

Kodiak Residents Respond to Tsunami Warning

In Kodiak, Alaska, sirens pierced the night air, warning residents of a possible tsunami. Faced with the alarm, people hurriedly sought shelter, capturing the tense moments on social media videos.

Size and Location Details

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake started approximately 106 kilometers south of Sand Point, Alaska, and struck at 10:48 pm on Saturday. Initially reported as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, it was later downgraded to 7.2.

Tsunami Advisory and Subsequent Cancellation

The US National Weather Service has issued a tsunami advisory, indicating that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 miles (21 km). However, within an hour of the first alarm, the advisory was canceled, reducing concerns of a potential tsunami impact.

Areas Affected and Protected Hawaii

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, Alaska, issued a tsunami advisory for the Alaska coast from Chignik Bay to Unimak Pass. In particular, Kodiak Island and the Kenai Peninsula are considered safe from any major impact. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency quickly confirmed that there is no threat to the Hawaiian Islands.

Aftershocks and Caution

Following the first earthquake, a series of earthquakes, including a magnitude 5.0 quake, struck the same area in Alaska within a short period of three minutes, as reported by KTUU-TV. Residents are urged to exercise caution and wait for clearance from local emergency officials before entering hazardous areas.

While the immediate danger goes down with the cancellation of the tsunami advisory, there remains the possibility of minor sea level changes. Residents are advised to be vigilant and monitor any updates from local authorities, ensuring their safety in the wake of the earthquake.

(With inputs from AP)