Latest news with #AlaskaPeninsula
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
7.3 Earthquake Off Alaska Peninsula Triggers Tsunami Fears
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a tsunami warning for the Alaska Peninsula that was later downgraded to an advisory after two earthquakes hit the area this afternoon. News outlets reported that a 0.2-foot tsunami wave was observed off the coast of Sand Point, and the advisory was later canceled. The more substantial earthquake occurred at around 12:38 p.m. local time, off the coast of Sand Point in the center of the peninsula, ABC News reported. With a magnitude of 7.3, it was considered 'major' and capable of causing serious damage. Earthquakes in the 'major' range are relatively rare; on average, only 10 to 15 occur globally each year, according to data collected by the Michigan Technological University. However, the Sand Point earthquake was the second that Alaskans in the region experienced that day. Earlier that day, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake, considered 'moderate,' hit 40 miles off the coast of Atka Island along the same peninsula. While both of Wednesday's earthquakes occurred underwater, limiting the immediate danger to surrounding people or settlements, the National Weather Service still put a tsunami advisory in effect. Anyone in the region was advised to move to higher ground. Further, the Alaska Earthquake Center reported the quakes were strong enough to feel on land throughout the peninsula, which borders Anchorage. Though the peninsula is sparsely populated, roughly 1,500 people live in the region, most of them Alaska Natives.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Science
- Reuters
Earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes Alaska Peninsula, GFZ says
July 16 (Reuters) - An earthquake of magnitude 6 struck the Alaska Peninsula, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said on Wednesday. The quake was at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles), GFZ said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tsunami advisory canceled after magnitude 7.3 earthquake recorded off Alaska coast
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula on the afternoon of July 16, briefly triggering a tsunami warning for the state's southern coast as communities were ordered to move inland to higher ground. The earthquake was recorded at 12:37 p.m. local time, southeast of Sand Point, a community located on Popof Island in the Aleutian Chain, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Alaska Earthquake Center said the quake was "felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and southern Alaska." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration initially issued a tsunami warning for the majority of the Alaska Peninsula, spanning into the southernmost part of Alaska's mainland toward Anchorage. The alert was later downgraded to a tsunami advisory by 1:50 p.m. local time. The tsunami advisory was in effect for coastal areas from Kennedy Entrance, about 40 miles southwest of Homer, to Unimak Pass — a distance of about 700 miles, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. Impacted cities include Cold Bay, Sand Point, and Kodiak, the Anchorage National Weather Service shared on social media on July 16. Authorities warned of potential dangerous coastal flooding, and residents were advised to move inland and to higher ground. By about 2:43 p.m. local time, the National Tsunami Warning Center said the advisory was canceled for the coastal areas of Alaska. "Tsunami cancellations indicate the end of the damaging tsunami threat," the National Tsunami Warning Center said in an update. "A cancellation is issued after an evaluation of sea level data confirms that a destructive tsunami will not impact the alerted region, or after tsunami levels have subsided to non-damaging levels." An Icelandic volcano is erupting, again: See spectacular drone video and maps of the area. Multiple aftershocks recorded near Sand Point A major earthquake, capable of causing "serious damage," is considered to have a magnitude between 7.0 and 7.9, according to Michigan Technological University. Only about 10 to 15 earthquakes of this caliber are reported each year. The Alaska Earthquake Center said the magnitude 7.3 earthquake was recorded about 55 miles south of Sand Point and was located at a depth of about 9 miles. The center noted that the magnitude and location "may change slightly" as additional data are received and processed. Following the major quake, the USGS recorded multiple aftershocks near Sand Point, including a magnitude 5.2 earthquake about 66 miles south-southeast of the community. "So far, there have been at least 20 aftershocks for the M7.3 earthquake south of Sand Point," according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. "Five of them have been above magnitude 4." What's going on? Volcanoes in multiple states have been rumbling. What do tsunami alerts mean? The National Weather Service said tsunami messages are issued by the tsunami warning centers to alert local authorities and the public of a possible tsunami. There are four levels of tsunami alerts, according to the weather service: Tsunami Warning: "Take Action—Danger! A tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours or days after initial arrival." Tsunami Advisory: "Take Action—A tsunami with potential for strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is expected or occurring. There may be flooding of beach and harbor areas." Tsunami Watch: "Be Prepared—A distant earthquake has occurred. A tsunami is possible." Tsunami Information Statement: "Relax—An earthquake has occurred, but there is no threat or it was very far away and the threat has not been determined. In most cases, there is no threat of a destructive tsunami." Was Anchorage impacted by the tsunami alert? The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said in a social media post that the tsunami alert, which Alaska residents may have received on mobile devices, is not a threat to the capital city. "This message was in response to a large magnitude earthquake southwest of Anchorage and the message zones overlapped," the office wrote. No threat for Hawaii and Washington state The Office of Emergency Management of Hawaii's O'ahu released a statement on X, reassuring residents that there is no tsunami threat to the island. In Washington state, officials said the earthquake prompted them to examine whether it would impact the state's coastlines. Data from tsunami buoys showed there was no danger for the state, the Washington Emergency Management Division said on X. "We have now been told there is NO DANGER for Washington state from this earthquake in Alaska," the Washington Emergency Management Division said. "Scientists had to wait to examine the wave heights arriving at DART tsunami buoys -- and those sensors now indicate there is NO DANGER for our coastline." (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Earthquake off Alaska coast briefly triggers tsunami alert
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Climate
- Times of Oman
Earthquake of magnitude 7.3 rattles Alaska, tsunami warning issued
Alaska: An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 on the Richter Scale rattled Alaska in the early hours of Thursday (local time), a statement by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. As per the NCS, the massive earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 36km, making it susceptible to aftershocks. In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 7.3, On: 17/07/2025 02:07:42 IST, Lat: 54.91 N, Long: 160.56 W, Depth: 36 Km, Location: Alaska Peninsula." Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties. A tsunami warning was issued for parts of coastal Alaska after an earthquake in the Gulf of Alaska, according to the US Tsunami Warning System, The New York Times reported. A tsunami warning is the most urgent alert issued by the National Weather Service in the United States, and it means that people should move to higher ground or go inland. A tsunami advisory means people should get out of coastal waters and stay away from beaches and waterways. A tsunami watch means experts are evaluating the threat, so stay tuned for further information. The Alaska-Aleutian subduction system is one of the most seismically active globally, producing more >M8 earthquakes over the last century than any other. Many of these earthquakes, as well as coastal and submarine landslides, create tsunamis. The region contains over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields, and contains well over three-quarters of US volcanoes that have erupted in the last two hundred years. Alaska has more large earthquakes than the rest of the United States combined. More than three-quarters of the state's population lives in an area that can experience a magnitude 7 earthquake. The nation's coastlines are vulnerable to the interrelated hazards posed by earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. In the marine environment, these events often occur in concert, and distant triggers can cause severe local effects, making the issue global in scope. As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the social impacts of these hazards are expected to grow.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tsunami advisory issued after magnitude 7.3 earthquake recorded off Alaska coast
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the Alaska Peninsula on Wednesday afternoon, July 16, prompting a tsunami advisory. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake off Sand Point, Popof Island, which is located in the center of the Alaska Peninsula, at just after 12:30 p.m. local time. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially issued a tsunami warning for the majority of the Alaska Peninsula, spanning up into the southern-most part of Alaska's mainland toward Anchorage. The alert was later downgraded to an advisory by 1:50 p.m. local time. Impacted cities include Cold Bay, Sand Point and Kodiak, the Anchorage National Weather Service shared in an X post on Wednesday afternoon. Impacts may include dangerous coastal flooding and residents are encouraged to move inland and to higher ground. A major earthquake, capable of causing "serious damage," is considered having a magnitude between 7.0-7.9, according to Michigan Technological University. Only about 10-15 earthquakes of this caliber are reported each year. More: Volcanoes in multiple states have been rumbling. What's going on? Is Anchorage impacted by tsunami alert? The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said in an X post on Wednesday afternoon that the tsunami warning, which Alaska residents may have received on mobile devices, is not a threat to the capital city. "This message was in response to a large magnitude earthquake southwest of Anchorage and the message zones overlapped," the office wrote. Is Hawaii impacted by tsunami alert? The Office of Emergency Management of Hawaii's O'ahu also released a statement on X, reassuring residents that there is no tsunami threat to the island. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Earthquake off Alaska coast triggers tsunami advisory
