8.2 Magnitude Earthquake in Alaska Prompts Tsumani Warnings

An 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska last night. The quake was located about 56 miles east of Perryville Alaska and happened around 10:15 p.m. according to the U.S. geological survey. A quake of that magnitude hasn’t been experienced in the state since 1964. According to the Alaska Earthquake Center “this event was felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak.” After the quake, citizens were urged to evacuate and move to higher ground by police in Kodiak.

There were at least two strong aftershocks including one with a 6.2 magnitude and another with a 5.6 magnitude. This morning, a tsunami warning was issued for parts of the state in the coastal areas of south Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Island but has been cancelled according to the National Tsunami Warning Center. A tsunami watch was also issued for Hawaii but later cancelled.