7.9-magnitude earthquake in Alaska prompts tsunami alert

[Meatpie]

A tsunami alert has been issued after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Alaska in the US.

It hit 280km (173 miles) south-east of Kodiak, at a depth of 25km, at 00:31 (09:31 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.

The US National Weather Service says a warning is in effect for the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia, while the US west coast is on tsunami watch.

But the tsunami watch for the islands of Hawaii and Guam has been cancelled.

Officials in Anchorage warned coastal areas, saying there was "extraordinary threat to life or property".

The alert told people to seek refuge on higher ground in affected areas. Residents in several places around the Gulf of Alaska were told to leave. They included Homer, Seward, Kodiak, Sitka and Unalaska.


According to Kodiak police, officials had reported water receding from the harbour.

Many residents in Kodiak left by car in the middle of the night.

The NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that, based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, "widespread hazardous tsunami waves were possible".

The alert meant that emergency officials and the public should prepare to take action.

One Twitter user is reporting hearing tsunami sirens in Kodiak.

"Citizens should remain in place and wait for further updates," Kodiak police said.

 

[Meatpie]

San Francisco Evacautions

The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management warned residents within three blocks of the Pacific Coast or within five blocks of the San Francisco Bay to prepare to evacuate, "so that you are ready if evacuation is needed."

 

[Meatpie]

Tsunami watch for many coastal areas has now been cancelled. A small tsunami was generated but this does not pose any threat to coastal areas of USA and Canada.

 

[Meatpie]

Tsunami Warning Cancelled in Kodiak

 

[Meatpie]

First tsunami waves arrive in Kodiak according to residents, no damage reported.

This is a graph from Tide Station on Kodiak Island taken just a few minutes ago.