Powerful 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Alaska Peninsula, Triggering Local Tsunami Warnings
SAND POINT, ALASKA - At 10:48 PM Alaska Daylight Time on July 15, 2023, an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred about 55 miles southwest of Sand Point, Alaska, and 615 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska with the coordinates 54.4N, 160.8W. The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 13 miles. The earthquake sent shockwaves rippling through the region, causing concern among coastal communities. The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) swiftly issued Tsunami Warnings for the local areas affected, emphasizing the need for residents to prioritize their safety and heed evacuation instructions.
The Tsunami Warning stretches across coastal Alaska stretching from south Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula including the Pacific coastal areas of Kennedy Entrance, Alaska which is about 40 miles southwest of Homer, Alaska to Unimak Pass, Alaska which is about 80 miles northeast of Unalaska, Alaska.
The possible Tsunami wave is forecast to begin impacting the following locations in Alaska at the following times and dates:
Sand Point, Alaska -- 12:10 AM Alaska Daylight Time on July 16th
Kodiak, Alaska -- 12:35 AM Alaska Daylight Time on July 16th
Cold Bay, Alaska -- 1:35 AM Alaska Daylight Time on July 16th
Tsunami events have the potential to cause significant damage and endanger lives, making it crucial for coastal residents to stay informed and prepared. Authorities are actively assessing the situation and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. If you live in or along a coastal area, you are asked to keep calm and quickly move to higher ground away from the coastline or to an upper floor of a multi-story building. You are asked to not go to shore to try and observe the tsunami and do not return to the coast until local emergency officials indicate it is safe to do so. The first wave of the tsunami may not be the largest wave and each tsunami wave could last between 5 to 45 minutes as the wave arrives and recedes.
Written by: Will Wight and Candyse Arivett
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