Alaska: On July 15, 2023, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula region at 10:48 p.m. Alaska Standard Time (1:48 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time). The earthquake was centered about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Perryville, Alaska, and was felt as far away as Anchorage and Juneau.
The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for the Gulf of Alaska coastline, from Kodiak Island to Yakutat. The warning was later downgraded to an advisory, but officials warned that coastal residents should still be on alert for possible flooding.
The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) said that the tsunami could produce waves up to 10 feet (3 meters) high in some areas. The NTWC advised coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground or inland if they felt a strong earthquake or heard a tsunami warning siren.
The tsunami warning was eventually canceled at 2:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time (5:00 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time), after officials determined that the tsunami threat had passed. However, the NTWC said that coastal residents should still be on alert for possible flooding or other hazards.
US Geological Survey tweeted about the earthquake, “Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.4- 106 km S of Sand Point, Alaska”.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the earthquake or tsunami. However, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said that some roads and bridges in the affected area were closed due to flooding.
This is the second time in a month that a tsunami warning has been issued for Alaska. In June, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Aleutian Islands, triggering a tsunami warning for the entire state. The warning was later canceled after officials determined that the tsunami threat had passed.
Alaska is located in a seismically active region, and is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. The state has a well-developed tsunami warning system, and officials are confident that they can effectively warn residents of a tsunami threat. However, it is important for coastal residents to be prepared for the possibility of a tsunami, and to know what to do if a warning is issued.