Major Earthquake (7.2) Off Alaska Coast - Tsunami Warnings

Tsunami warning issued after 7.2 magnitude earthquake near Alaska

A major earthquake off Alaska with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 has triggered a tsunami warning for the state's southern peninsula.

The tsunami warning was in effect Wednesday afternoon after the earthquake struck about 50 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska, at around 12:38 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service. The impacted areas spanned the Kennedy Entrance, a channel that connects the Gulf of Alaska to Cook Inlet, to Unimak Pass, which is just to the west of Unimak Island at the end of the peninsula. There was no danger to Anchorage, the state's most populous city, as of 5:30 p.m. ET, NWS Anchorage said.

The quake was felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and southern Alaska, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.

Earlier in the day, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake also struck the region. It was located approximately 40 miles southeast of Atka Island, the earthquake center said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Major earthquake triggers tsunami warning in Alaska

RT

A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Alaska on Wednesday afternoon, prompting tsunami warnings across Southcentral and Southwest regions of the state.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at 12:37 p.m. Alaska time, with its epicenter located roughly 83 miles southeast of King Cove, near Sand Point on Popof Island along the Aleutian Chain.

In response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) issued tsunami warnings for the Alaska Peninsula, ranging from the Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass and extending toward Anchorage.

The Homer Police Department issued an alert advising residents to seek higher ground, while Anchorage emergency authorities stated that the city itself faces no immediate threat.

The tremor was felt widely across coastal communities along the Aleutian Chain, Alaska Peninsula, and Cook Inlet. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and comply with advisories, as aftershocks are expected and tsunami waves could still impact coastal zones.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage. Earthquakes between magnitude 7.0 and 7.9 are classified as “major” and can cause serious damage, with only 10–15 such events occurring worldwide each year