Alaska tsunami LIVE: Huge warning issued after 7.2 magnitude earthquake off US coast
Thousands of local Alaskans and visitors were ordered to reach higher ground after a large 7.3-magnitude earthquake triggered an urgent tsunami warning across a 700-mile stretch of coastline.
At 12.37pm local time, people from Kodiak Island near the epicentre to the state's capital Anchorage, 250 miles away, felt the ground shake and buildings wobble. However, its impact was minimal.
“There’s no damage at the airport, doesn’t appear to be any damage at the harbour, no damage to speak of, really,” Sand Point Police Chief Benjamin Allen told the Anchorage Daily.
The tsunami warning was in effect for three hours, before officials downgraded it. In the end, the highest water level reached at Sand Point, the closest piece of land to the earthquake, was just 2.5 inches above the usual tide.
Residents of the Alaska Peninsula have been told that the initial tsunami warning has been revised down to a tsunami advisory, after the expected wave failed to make it to shore.
Strong waves and currents are still expected across the 700-mile stretch of the peninsula. In Kodiac, the largest settlement in the area, opened its shelters after the warning was downgraded.
"The sirens will stop sounding. Please continue to use caution at or near the coast," Kodiak Island Emergency Management said on social media.
A resident of Kodiak, the largest island on the Alaska Peninsula, has shared on social media that she is remaining at her home, despite the urgent warning from authorities to flee to higher ground.
Tsunami sirens can be heard blaring in the background as she explains her reasoning.
\ud83d\udea8Kodiak Alaska resident will not evacuate after the Tsunami Warning and will ride this out in her garden even as the sirens are blaring in the background, other neighbors are moving to higher grounds and boats are pulling out of the bay \ud83d\ude33Is Property high enough
You decide pic.twitter.com/aJ1qdyQ8pk
\u2014 Culture War Report (@CultureWar2020) July 16, 2025
An impact map created by the US Geological Survey shows the parts of Alaska that could be worst hit by the forecast tsunami.
As well as fishing communities dotted along the Alaska Peninsula, important wildlife reserves could also be impacted. This includes the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, home to everything from rare seabirds to packs of wolves and lynx.
The 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck 55 miles offshore, with peninsula residents warned that a tsunami could strike imminently
The National Weather Service has issued urgent advice to Alaskan residents, with the tsunami expected to strike imminently.
They warn: "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."
The 700-mile stretch of the northerly US state that has been issued urgent tsunami warnings is called the Alaska Peninsula, a spit of land and islands that extends into the Pacific.
Many settlements in the region are involved in the fishing industry, including the towns of Cold Bay, King Cove and Chignik.
Residents in these areas have all received emergency alerts to their phones following the 7.2 quake that struck around 50 miles offshore.
Experts say that impacts of the tsunami "will vary at different locations in the warning areas".
They then described its potential effects as follows:
* A tsunami with damaging waves and powerful currents is
possible.
* Repeated coastal flooding is possible as waves arrive
onshore, move inland, and drain back into the ocean.
* Strong and unusual waves, currents and inland flooding
can drown or injure people and weaken or destroy structures
on land and in water.
* Water filled with floating or submerged debris that can
injure or kill people and weaken or destroy buildings and
bridges is possible.
* Strong and unusual currents and waves in harbors,
marinas, bays, and inlets may be especially
destructive.
* Some impacts may continue for many hours to days after
arrival of the first wave.
* The first wave may not be the largest so later waves may
be larger.
* Each wave may last 5 to 45 minutes as a wave encroaches
and recedes.
* Coasts facing all directions are threatened because the
waves can wrap around islands and headlands and into bays.
* Strong shaking or rolling of the ground indicates an
earthquake has occurred and a tsunami may be imminent.
* A rapidly receding or receded shoreline, unusual waves and
sounds, and strong currents are signs of a tsunami.
* The tsunami may appear as water moving rapidly out to sea,
a gentle rising tide like flood with no breaking wave,
as a series of breaking waves, or a frothy wall of water.
The US National Tsunami Warning Centre has issued advice to residents.
"Actions to protect human life and property will vary within tsunami warning areas," experts said.
They added:
If you are in a tsunami warning area;
* Evacuate inland or to higher ground above and beyond
designated tsunami hazard zones or move to an upper floor
of a multi-story building depending on your situation.
* Move out of the water, off the beach, and away from
harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays and inlets.
* Be alert to and follow instructions from your local
emergency officials because they may have more detailed or
specific information for your location.
* If you feel a strong earthquake or extended ground rolling
take immediate protective actions such as moving inland
and/or uphill preferably by foot.
* Boat operators,
* Where time and conditions permit, move your boat out to
sea to a depth of at least 180 feet.
* If at sea avoid entering shallow water, harbors,
marinas, bays, and inlets to avoid floating and
submerged debris and strong currents.
* Do not go to the shore to observe the tsunami.
* Do not return to the coast until local emergency officials
indicate it is safe to do so.
Experts say tsunami activity is forecasted to start at the following locations at the specified times:
Sand Point 1330 AKDT Jul 16
Cold Bay 1425 AKDT Jul 16
Kodiak 1440 AKDT Jul 16
The National Tsunami Warning Centre has issued its preliminary earthquake readings.
They are:
* The following parameters are based on a rapid preliminary assessment of the earthquake and changes may occur.
* Magnitude 7.3
* Origin Time 1238 AKDT Jul 16 2025
1338 PDT Jul 16 2025
2038 UTC Jul 16 2025
* Coordinates 54.5 North 160.5 West
* Depth 12 miles
* Location 55 miles S of Sand Point, Alaska
605 miles SW of Anchorage, Alaska
A tsunami alert issued by the US National Warning System reads:
A tsunami has been confirmed and some impacts are expected
* Revised magnitude
...THE TSUNAMI WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...
Tsunami Warning in Effect for;
* SOUTH ALASKA AND THE ALASKA PENINSULA, Pacific coasts from
Kennedy Entrance, Alaska (40 miles SW of Homer) to Unimak
Pass, Alaska (80 miles NE of Unalaska)
For other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, there is no tsunami threat.
A video has been posted online of sirens blaring in Old Harbor.
@ty_murrel wrote on X: "Sirens going off in Old Harbor AK."
@curiouscallista replied: "Phone just started blaring the warning!
"Thanks for the warning, I was going to walk on the beach!!"
An earthquake has struck off the coast of Alaska, triggering a tsunami warning.
The quake had a magnitude of 7.2, according to experts.
They added that warning being issued means a tsunami with "significant inundation" is "expected or occuring".
Daily Express
