Tsunami warning issued after 7.3-magnitude earthquake off coast of Alaska

16 July 2023 , 07:09

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The quake was felt widely throughout the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Peninsula, and Cook Inlet regions

A Tsunami warning was issued following a huge magnitude 7.3 earthquake off the coast of Alaska but the advisory was cancelled an hour later.

The US Tsunami Warning System this morning put out the red alert for regions of the Pacific located close by after the huge quake.

At the same time, the Alaska Volcano Observatory also provided another threat notice for the Shishaldin volcano having this morning sent up a big plume of ash.

Forecasters issued the warnings following the earthquake, which struck early on Sunday. The agency cancelled the advisory about an hour after the first alert.

The "notable quake" was at a depth of 9.3km - almost 6 miles - the United States Geological Survey has said. In Kodiak, Alaska, sirens warned of a possible tsunami and sent people driving to shelters late at night, according to video posted to social media.

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The Alaska Earthquake Centre said it was felt widely throughout the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Peninsula, and Cook Inlet regions.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said shortly after the tsunami warning went out that there was no threat to the islands.

There were an estimated eight aftershocks in the same area of Alaska, including one measuring 5.0 magnitude within three minutes of the original earthquake, KTUU-TV reported.

Residents were advised not to reoccupy hazard zones without clearance from local emergency officials, KTUU reported.
Small sea level changes were still possible, KTUU reported.

"The eruption of Shishaldin Volcano has intensified," the Alaska Volcano Observatory posted on social media.

"An ash cloud to 15,000 ft (4.6 km) above sea level and drifting to the SSE has been observed in satellite data starting at about 9:00 pm AKDT.

"The National Weather Service has issued a SIGMET for this activty. Seismic tremor amplitudes began to increase starting around 5:00 pm AKDT (1:00 UTC) and are continuing. The actvity has also been observed on regional infrasound (presure sensor) arrays."

Back in 1964, an earthquake of the reported magnitude 9.2 provoked a huge Tsunami in Alaska, leaving a footprint of destruction behind.

Landslides and avalanches were produced following more than four minutes of shaking, with waves up to 70 meters in height reported.

Sunday's event was the second inside two days after magnitude-6.3 earthquake occurred off the coast of Chiapas State, Mexico.

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The epicenter was around 54 miles southwest of El Palmarcito. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 22 miles.

The state confirmed that there were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or fatalities.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs