Tsunami Warning Canceled Following 7.2 Magnitude Alaska Earthquake

(Photo: The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Fox and Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska on the evening of June 24, 2011.

By Lawrence D. Jones , Christian Post Reporter

June 24, 2011|11:40 am

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook the Fox and Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska Thursday evening, prompting residents in the coastal areas to flee to higher grounds after officials issued a tsunami warning.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3, struck at 6:09 p.m. local time (3:09 GMT), 20 miles southeast of Amukta Pass, Ala., and 1,042 miles southwest of Anchorage. The depth of the quake was 38.9 miles.

Thursday's quake was felt through the central Aleutians and as far east as Dutch Harbor and Unalaska, reported The Alaska Earthquake Information Center.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for an area 80 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor to about 125 miles west of Adak but canceled the warning about an hour after the quake.

"NO destructive tsunami has been recorded, and NO tsunami danger exists along the coasts of the U.S. west coast states, Alaska, and British Columbia. Local authorities can assume all clear upon receipt of this message," the WCATWC announced.

The WCATWC also advised that Pacific coastal regions outside California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska should refer to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center messages for information on the event.

A series of smaller quakes hit Alaska's Fox and Aleutian Islands in the hours following the 7.2-magnitude quake. The subsequent quakes ranged from 4.2- to 4.7-magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The latest quake that struck off the Fox and Aleutian Islands occurred early Friday morning. That quake was measured at 4.6-magnitude and occurred at 2:42 a.m. local time. The depth of the quake was 24.5 miles.