Tsunami warnings canceled after massive earthquake off Alaska triggers threat for US coastline

 Tsunami warnings lifted following a significant earthquake off the coast of Alaska that posed a threat to the US shoreline.

SAND POINT, Alaska — A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of a cluster of Alaskan islands on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in a minor tsunami, according to officials.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at 12:37 p.m. local time, approximately 54 miles from Sand Point, Alaska, at its epicenter.

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, NOAA's National Tsunami Warning Center issued Tsunami Warnings for the Alaska coastline from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, which included all of Kodiak Island, Chignik, and Cold Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard indicated that it evacuated personnel from its Kodiak base to higher ground and had two air crews on standby for assistance.

Initially, the agency warned that a tsunami of up to one foot could occur and informed those within the warning area that some local effects might be anticipated.

However, the warning was downgraded to an advisory just over an hour later as the threat diminished, and it was eventually canceled. A buoy at Sand Point recorded a minor tsunami, detecting a water rise of only 0.2 feet, or about 3 inches, as reported by NOAA.

"A tsunami was generated by this event, but it no longer poses a threat," stated the Tsunami Warning Center. "Some regions may still experience minor fluctuations in sea levels."

There have been no initial reports of damage resulting from either the earthquake or the tsunami.

"The entire southern coast of Alaska is a vast earthquake zone," remarked Michael West, a seismologist with the Alaska Earthquake Center. "Four out of five earthquakes in the United States occur in Alaska."

West noted that earthquakes are common in this region, although not all are significant or felt by residents.

"Early indications suggest we are fortunate today," he added.

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Tsunamis are a series of perilous waves that can arise following substantial geological movements, such as earthquakes or landslides.