Alaska's Great Escape from the largest US earthquake in FIFTY years: Thousands evacuate coastal areas after 8.2 magnitude offshore quake triggered tsunami warning
Thousands were forced to flee coastal areas after an 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, marking the largest in the US in 50 years, and triggered tsunami warnings that were canceled three hours later.
The shallow quake hit 56 miles southeast of the town of Perryville, the United States Geological Survey said, with a tsunami warning in effect for south Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula.
Patrick Mayer, the superintendent of schools for the Aleutians East Borough in Sand Point, told the Anchorage Daily News that he was sitting in his kitchen when it started to shake uncontrollably and causes the doors of his pantry and fridge to swing open and empty their contents.
“It started to go and just didn’t stop,” he said. “It went on for a long time and there were several aftershocks, too. The pantry is empty all over the floor, the fridge is empty all over the floor.”
King Cove School Principal Paul Barker lives about a half-mile from the school and told the Anchorage Daily News that he immediately started taking pictures off the walls and moving belongings away from the edges of counter and tables.
”Everything in my house was shaking,' he said. 'It wasn’t that violent. I expected it to get harder and shake more, but it was just kind of a steady shaking for about a minute or so.’
Pictured: A map from NWS Tsunami Alerts showing the Tsunami travel time in hours, with both the West Coast of the United States and Japan within six-hour range of the potential tsunami
Pictured: People evacuate after receiving Tsunami a tsunami warning in Alaska following Wednesday night's earthquake
more videos
Wayne Lineker CONFRONTS Ibiza 'chav' after being called 'n***e'
Good luck! Camper attempts to sleep as Storm Evert brings fierce wind
Police say boy's death was accident after being reported missing
Gymnast Simone Biles opens up about battle with 'twisties'
Giant sixgill shark is spotted swimming off the coast of IRELAND
Smoke rages from Russian 'plant' following chemical explosion
Little girl performs gymnastics after being inspired by Team GB
Samaritans stop to help man having a seizure behind the wheel
Preacher Hatun Tash recalls being stabbed at Speakers' Corner
Shocking moment driver confronts other motorist with hatchet
Adorable moment sad little boy is consoled by sweet neighbourhood cat
Kye Whyte's brother emotional after historic BMX medal scoop in Tokyo
more videos
Wayne Lineker CONFRONTS Ibiza 'chav' after being called 'n***e'
Good luck! Camper attempts to sleep as Storm Evert brings fierce wind
Police say boy's death was accident after being reported missing
'Time to cut the holiday': Campers in Cornwall battered by winds
Gymnast Simone Biles opens up about battle with 'twisties'
Giant sixgill shark is spotted swimming off the coast of IRELAND
Smoke rages from Russian 'plant' following chemical explosion
Little girl performs gymnastics after being inspired by Team GB
Samaritans stop to help man having a seizure behind the wheel
Preacher Hatun Tash recalls being stabbed at Speakers' Corner
Shocking moment driver confronts other motorist with hatchet
Adorable moment sad little boy is consoled by sweet neighbourhood cat
The US government's National Tsunami Warning Center immediately issued an alert for south Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula but canceled all warnings about three hours later.
The maximum wave height detected by the center was eight inches above tide level with small tsunamis hitting at least six points off Alaska's coastline.
Tsunami warning sirens had been broadcast across Kodiak, an island with a population of about 6,000 people, along Alaska's coastline. Locals living close to sea level were told to evacuate to higher ground.
The King Cove School gymnasium is on higher ground and was used as a community evacuation point while the area was on tsunami warning. Within 30 minutes, the school took in 300 to 400 workers from the nearby fish cannery, according to the Anchorage Daily News.
‘We’re used to this,’ Barker said. ‘This is pretty normal for this area to get these kind of quakes, and when the tsunami sirens go off, it’s just something we do. It’s not something you ever get used to, but it’s part of the job living here and being part of the community.”
Small waves hit the coast of Kodiak, according to a broadcaster on local radio station KMXT. She said authorities lifted evacuation orders, with no reports of any damage.
'This is the largest earthquake to happen in the Alaska region since 1965,' Michael West, state seismologist with the Alaska Earthquake Center, told Alaska Public Media.
Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America, leading to the deaths of 250 people.
EUSGS said the quake, which struck at 10:15 p.m. local time, was at a depth of 29 miles. Eight aftershocks were recorded within 90 minutes of the earthquake, the largest with a magnitude of 6.2, according to the body.
Videos posted on social media by journalists and residents in Kodiak showed people evacuating their homes, driving away from the coast or walking in groups to higher ground as warning sirens could be heard.
Resident Joseph Pena, a Filipino working in the area on a summer job, said: 'This is the scariest thing that's happened to me while I've been living here.'
more videos
Wayne Lineker CONFRONTS Ibiza 'chav' after being called 'n***e'
Good luck! Camper attempts to sleep as Storm Evert brings fierce wind
Police say boy's death was accident after being reported missing
Gymnast Simone Biles opens up about battle with 'twisties'
Giant sixgill shark is spotted swimming off the coast of IRELAND
Smoke rages from Russian 'plant' following chemical explosion
Little girl performs gymnastics after being inspired by Team GB
Samaritans stop to help man having a seizure behind the wheel
Preacher Hatun Tash recalls being stabbed at Speakers' Corner
Shocking moment driver confronts other motorist with hatchet
Adorable moment sad little boy is consoled by sweet neighbourhood cat
Kye Whyte's brother emotional after historic BMX medal scoop in Tokyo
AFter issuing a 'Tsunami Watch', Hawaii later cancelled the warning late on Wednesday night
Pictured: A graphic showing the different levels of Tsunami alerts in Hawaii. The state issued a Tsunami watch on Wednesday following the earthquake off the coast of Alaska, but later cancelled the warning
The US government issued a tsunami warning for Alaska's southeast, while authorities in Hawaii also issued a tsunami watch, but later canceled the warning.
'Hazardous tsunami waves for this earthquake are possible within the next three hours along some coasts,' the US Tsunami Warning System said in a statement.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy tweeted that the state's emergency operation center had been activated and authorities were contacting communities in the tsunami warning areas.
An emergency alert sent to people's phones read: 'The National Weather Service has issued a TSUNAMI WARNING.
'A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.'
A broadcaster on local radio station KMXT said a tsunami, if it was generated, would hit Kodiak at 11:55 pm. That time passed without any tsunami, according to a broadcaster on local radio station KMXT.
A tsunami watch also was issued for Hawaii, meaning residents are required to stay away from beaches. However, the warning was later cancelled by authorities.
Following the quake, authorities in Hawaii announced that they were also investigating whether there is a threat of a tsunami to the state.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said: 'Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter.'
more videos
Wayne Lineker CONFRONTS Ibiza 'chav' after being called 'n***e'
Police say boy's death was accident after being reported missing
'Time to cut the holiday': Campers in Cornwall battered by winds
Gymnast Simone Biles opens up about battle with 'twisties'
Giant sixgill shark is spotted swimming off the coast of IRELAND
Smoke rages from Russian 'plant' following chemical explosion
Little girl performs gymnastics after being inspired by Team GB
Samaritans stop to help man having a seizure behind the wheel
Preacher Hatun Tash recalls being stabbed at Speakers' Corner
Shocking moment driver confronts other motorist with hatchet
Adorable moment sad little boy is consoled by sweet neighbourhood cat
Kye Whyte's brother emotional after historic BMX medal scoop in Tokyo
more videos
Wayne Lineker CONFRONTS Ibiza 'chav' after being called 'n***e'
Good luck! Camper attempts to sleep as Storm Evert brings fierce wind
Police say boy's death was accident after being reported missing
'Time to cut the holiday': Campers in Cornwall battered by winds
Gymnast Simone Biles opens up about battle with 'twisties'
Giant sixgill shark is spotted swimming off the coast of IRELAND
Smoke rages from Russian 'plant' following chemical explosion
Little girl performs gymnastics after being inspired by Team GB
Samaritans stop to help man having a seizure behind the wheel
Preacher Hatun Tash recalls being stabbed at Speakers' Corner
Shocking moment driver confronts other motorist with hatchet
Adorable moment sad little boy is consoled by sweet neighbourhood cat
🚨#BREAKING: The 8.2 earthquake is the largest to strike the United States since 1965
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 29, 2021
📌#Alaska l #US
Warning sirens are now blaring along the Alaskan coastline as waves approach.
The Tsunami Warning System is still calculating possible further risks to the Hawaiian Islands pic.twitter.com/rzzVI4txUD
🚨#BREAKING: The 8.2 earthquake is the largest to strike the United States since 1965
📌#Alaska l #US
Warning sirens are now blaring along the Alaskan coastline as waves approach.
The Tsunami Warning System is still calculating possible further risks to the Hawaiian Islands pic.twitter.com/rzzVI4txUD
Massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake has struck off the #Alaskan, prompting a tsunami warning.
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) July 29, 2021
The #earthquake hit 56 miles southeast of the town of Perryville, #tsunamiwarning in effect for south Alaska and #Alaskan peninsula#séisme #tsunami #Pacifique. #kodiak #tsunamialert pic.twitter.com/8rrfaqsLOb
Massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake has struck off the #Alaskan, prompting a tsunami warning.
The #earthquake hit 56 miles southeast of the town of Perryville, #tsunamiwarning in effect for south Alaska and #Alaskan peninsula#séisme #tsunami #Pacifique. #kodiak #tsunamialert pic.twitter.com/8rrfaqsLOb
Another local resident, who goes by ‘Loyal to the soil’ on Twitter, shared a video she first posted on TikTok documenting her evacuation
more videos
Wayne Lineker CONFRONTS Ibiza 'chav' after being called 'n***e'
Police say boy's death was accident after being reported missing
'Time to cut the holiday': Campers in Cornwall battered by winds
Gymnast Simone Biles opens up about battle with 'twisties'
Giant sixgill shark is spotted swimming off the coast of IRELAND
Smoke rages from Russian 'plant' following chemical explosion
Little girl performs gymnastics after being inspired by Team GB
Samaritans stop to help man having a seizure behind the wheel
Preacher Hatun Tash recalls being stabbed at Speakers' Corner
Shocking moment driver confronts other motorist with hatchet
Adorable moment sad little boy is consoled by sweet neighbourhood cat
Kye Whyte's brother emotional after historic BMX medal scoop in Tokyo
Twitter users expressed their shock on hearing about the earthquake with some saying the damage could have been a lot worse. Andy Drew tweeted, ‘Alaska got lucky. Luckily that earthquake was 22 miles deep. An 8.2 could have done insurmountable damage to that region and could have created a Tsunami that would have taken parts of Hawaii, out!’
A number of Alaska residents shared videos of the quake they filmed, including Twitter user John Clutter, who shared a video from his boat as it was docked at a local marina. His caption read: ‘8.2 Earthquake is the largest in Alaska since 1965. I was sitting in the upper wheelhouse of my 125' steel schooner ALEUTIAN EXPRESS at Chignik Harbor and the whole boat bounced and vibrated for about a minute. 14' range of gradual Tsunami one foot every 4 minutes both directions.’
Another local resident, who goes by ‘Loyal to the soil’ on Twitter, shared a video she first posted on TikTok documenting her evacuation, and added the caption: ‘Residents of Homer Alaska evacuate & head to higher ground as a Tsunami warning is issued following an earthquake off the coast of the Alaska peninsula.’
Twitter user KrisLuck wrote that he ‘felt seasick’ and ‘never felt that in an earthquake before.’ He added, ‘45 min before expected wave, praying we dont get one. I am literally 3 houses away from being in a tsunami inundation zone.’
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also issued a notice that the potential threat to Guam and American Samoa was still under investigation.
'Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter,' PTWC said.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been widely felt by almost everyone in the area of the epicenter. It might have caused light to moderate damage.
Moderate shaking probably occurred in Perryville, Chignik Lake and Sandpoint.
Japan's Meteorological Agency was investigating whether there was a possibility of a tsunami hitting Japan, public broadcaster NHK said earlier.
There were no tsunami alerts on Japan's Meteorological Agency website, and NHK later confirmed that was no risk of a tsunami.
A number of people took to social media following the earthquake to share their experiences, with one person sharing a screenshot of the emergency alert sent to people in Perryville.
Another shared a picture reportedly showing readings from a water buoy that registered unusually high waters shortly before 6am GMT on Thursday (around 10 pm local time on Wednesday), suggesting a tsunami could be active.
Another person wrote that they could feel the effects of the earthquake on the 16th floor of a building they were in at the time, while someone else said their husband told them the earthquake 'lasted a long time. At least a minute went by on his clock,' the Twitter user wrote.
Pictured: A Twitter user shares a screenshot of the emergency alert sent to people in Perryville, Alaska following the powerful earthquake
Pictured: A person on Twitter shares a picture reportedly showing readings from a water buoy that registered unusually high waters shortly before 6am GMT on Thursday (around 10pm local time on Wednesday), suggesting a tsunami is active
Pictured: Another Twitter user posted a graph showing water levels, with the height sharply increasing just after 7:00 GMT (23:00 Wednesday local time in Alaska)
Pictured: People take to social media to share their experienes of the earthquake
Alaska is part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.
Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America.
It devastated Anchorage and unleashed a tsunami that slammed the Gulf of Alaska, the US west coast, and Hawaii.
More than 250 people were killed by the quake and the tsunami.
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake also caused tsunami waves in Alaska's southern coast in October, but no casualties were reported.
WHAT IS EARTH'S 'RING OF FIRE'?
Earth's so-called 'Ring of Fire' is a horseshoe-shaped geological disaster zone that is a hot bed for tectonic and volcanic activity.
Roughly 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes occur in the belt, which is also home to more than 450 volcanoes.
The seismic region stretches along the Pacific Ocean coastlines, where the Pacific Plate grinds against other plates that form the Earth's crust.
It loops from New Zealand to Chile, passing through the coasts of Asia and the Americas on the way.
In total, the loop makes up a 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometre) -long zone prone to frequent earthquakes and eruptions.
The region is susceptible to disasters because it is home to a vast number of 'subduction zones', areas where tectonic plates overlap.
Earthquakes are triggered when these plates scrape or slide underneath one another, and when that happens at sea it can spawn tsunamis.
WHAT IS EARTH'S 'RING OF FIRE'?
Earth's so-called 'Ring of Fire' is a horseshoe-shaped geological disaster zone that is a hot bed for tectonic and volcanic activity.
Roughly 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes occur in the belt, which is also home to more than 450 volcanoes.
The seismic region stretches along the Pacific Ocean coastlines, where the Pacific Plate grinds against other plates that form the Earth's crust.
It loops from New Zealand to Chile, passing through the coasts of Asia and the Americas on the way.
In total, the loop makes up a 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometre) -long zone prone to frequent earthquakes and eruptions.
The region is susceptible to disasters because it is home to a vast number of 'subduction zones', areas where tectonic plates overlap.
Earthquakes are triggered when these plates scrape or slide underneath one another, and when that happens at sea it can spawn tsunamis.