Thousands of Alaskans living along the state’s southern coastline scrambled to evacuate on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake sparked fears of a tsunami.
7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Region
The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.3 quake striking around 12:38pm local time (4:30pm ET), with the epicenter located in the Pacific Ocean near the Shumagin Islands, just southeast of Sand Point and close to the Alaska Peninsula.
Widespread Alerts and Evacuations
As sirens blared and mobile phones buzzed with emergency alerts, residents from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass by Unalaska were urged to flee inland or to higher ground.
Rachel Lord, mayor of Homer, described the chaos: “We’ve been hearing there was bumper-to-bumper traffic at first, with people just trying to get off the spit.”
Tsunami Warnings Issued and Later Downgraded
Emergency officials warned that a tsunami could impact areas including Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula, and the eastern Aleutians. Stark photos showed coastlines eerily empty as ocean waters receded—a classic warning sign of an impending tsunami.
David Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator with NOAA, confirmed small waves had been generated, raising sea levels by about three inches. “A tsunami was generated by this event, but no longer poses a threat,” stated the Tsunami Warning Center. However, officials noted minor sea-level fluctuations may continue.
Originally, a full tsunami warning was issued shortly after the quake, downgraded to an advisory about 90 minutes later, and eventually canceled by 12:45pm local time (6:45pm ET).
Coastal Communities on Edge
Residents have been advised to remain vigilant for at least 24 hours, as irregular wave activity could persist. In preparation for worst-case scenarios, emergency shelters were opened at Kodiak High School and North Star Elementary School.
One woman in Seward, a coastal town, posted a video on X after just moving back to Alaska following 25 years away. The footage showed her walking quickly with others away from the shore, saying nervously, “Just pray we don’t get waved,” before ending the clip.
Aftershocks and Expert Analysis
The Alaska Earthquake Center has logged over 20 aftershocks since the initial quake, the largest being a magnitude 5.2.
Seismologist Michael West told Fox Weather, “The entire southern coast of Alaska is a gigantic earthquake zone. Four out of five earthquakes in the U.S. happen in Alaska.” He added that while many quakes go unnoticed, Wednesday’s was among the stronger ones. “Early signs suggest we’re on the lucky side today,” he noted.
Broader Impact Assessed
The National Weather Service quickly confirmed there was no tsunami risk for other U.S. states like Oregon or Washington. The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) stated the affected zone spanned about 700 miles—from 40 miles southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass.
Kodiak, one of the largest towns in the warning zone with around 5,200 people, was on high alert. In the small town of King Cove, with a population of about 870, local leaders urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate to higher ground.
Historical Context: Alaska’s Seismic Legacy
Alaska’s last earthquake of comparable strength occurred on June 10, 1996, when a magnitude 7.2 tremor struck near the Andreanof Islands.
But the most powerful in state—and U.S.—history was the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, which measured 9.2 in magnitude. That disaster near Prince William Sound was felt as far away as Seattle and caused tsunamis that ravaged coastlines in Alaska, California, Oregon, Hawaii, and even Japan.