A powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck near the Alaskan Peninsula late Wednesday, about 91 km east-southeast of Perryville at a depth of 35 km. While there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, tsunami sirens sounded in coastal areas like Kodiak.
“Tsunami warnings were issued for southern Alaska,” according to the US National Tsunami Warning Center, covering areas from Hinchinbrook Entrance to Unimak Pass. Video footage shared by Reuters showed alarms going off and residents reacting.
Hawaii and Guam were also put on alert but later declared safe. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy confirmed the state’s emergency operations center was activated in response.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and agencies from Japan and New Zealand began evaluating further risks. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported at least eight aftershocks, two of them stronger than magnitude 6.0.
