A tsunami warning has been issued for Alaska’s coastal areas after the state was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake early Friday morning.
The earthquake struck in Anchorage at 8.29am Alaska time, rocking trees and swaying lampposts and leading people to run out of their offices or hide under their desks for shelter.
A tsunami warning is now in effect in Alaska’s Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula after as officials warn locals to stay away from beaches and shore lines.
Tsunami waves are expected to hit at 9.25am in Kodiak, 9.30am in Seward and 11.45am in Homer. There is no tsunami danger for Anchorage.
A fierce 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska early Friday morning, collapsing a section of an offramp on Minnesota Drive. A trapped car off of the collapsed section of Minnesota drive pictured above
The earthquake and four aftershocks – including one of 5.8 magnitude – swayed trees and lampposts and knocked food off of their shelves at this local grocery store in Anchorage
The damage of the massive earthquake that struck Anchorage, Alaska on Friday morning pictured above, breaking kitchen cabinet doors and shattering dishes in this local’s home
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the heart of the quake took place seven miles north of Alaska’s largest city.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was initially a 6.7 magnitude earthquake and later boosted the magnitude to 7.0.
The quake was so strong it cracked buildings and knocked local news station KTUU off air. An exit ramp on a local highway also collapsed.
It’s not yet clear if there are any deaths or injuries from the shake.
The earthquake struck at 8.29am, with its center located just eight miles away from Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the heart of the quake took place seven miles north of Alaska’s largest city and was initially deemed a 6.6 earthquake that later escalated to a 7.0 magnitude
At least four aftershocks rippled through the city after the earthquake hit, the largest one measuring 5.8 magnitude in Anchorage.
According to the NOAA alert, ‘for other U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, the level of tsunami danger is being evaluated.’
Alaska averages 40,000 earthquakes per year, which is more large quakes than the other 49 states of the U.S. combined.
Southern Alaska is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes as it’s located directly above tectonic plates sliding past each other.
The strongest earthquake in U.S. history took place in Alaska in March 27, 1964 when a 9.2 earthquake devastated the region then triggered a deadly tsunami that killed 130 people.