Thousands of residents along Alaska's coastline fled to higher ground on Wednesday after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the Shumagin Islands, prompting a tsunami warning. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at 12:38 pm local time, centred in the Pacific Ocean south of the Alaska Peninsula, southeast of Sand Point.
Sirens sounded and emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones across southwestern Alaska, urging immediate evacuation from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass near Unalaska. Rachel Lord, the mayor of Homer, reported bumper-to-bumper traffic as people attempted to leave the spit. Officials also warned of potential tsunami impacts on Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula, and parts of the eastern Aleutian Islands.
Dramatic images showed an eerily bare shoreline, with the ocean having receded—a chilling sign that a tsunami could be imminent. David Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, confirmed that a tsunami had been generated, producing small waves that raised sea levels by about three inches. The Tsunami Warning Center later stated that the tsunami no longer posed a threat, though some areas might continue to see minor sea level changes.
The initial warning was downgraded to a tsunami advisory roughly 90 minutes after the quake and then cancelled at 12:45 pm local time. Locals were advised that unusual waves could persist for about 24 hours. Emergency shelters were opened at Kodiak High School and North Star Elementary School. In Seward, a resident who had just returned to Alaska after 25 years shared a video of herself and others walking briskly to higher ground, saying, 'Just pray we don't get waved.'
The Alaska Earthquake Center recorded more than 20 aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 5.2. Seismologist Michael West noted that the entire southern coast of Alaska is a gigantic earthquake zone, with four out of five US earthquakes occurring in the state. He added that early signs suggested the region was 'on the lucky side' this time. The National Weather Service confirmed no tsunami threat to other US states outside Alaska.
