Tsunami advisory issued in Alaska after 7.3-magnitude earthquake rattles island

Indian Express

17-07-2025

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Alaska's southern coast near Sand Point on Wednesday, which triggered a tsunami warning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but was later downgraded to advisory level.
The strong earthquake which was felt throughout the southern coast of Alaska had a magnitude of 7.3, according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred near Sand Point which is located northwest of Popof Island off the Alaska peninsula. The location is about 965 kilometres southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
According to the US Tsunami Center, the tsunami advisory issued after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake remains in effect from about 65 km south-west of Homer to Unimak Pass. The tsunami advisory was issued for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula to Kennedy Entrance and Unimak Pass, Alaska, on the Pacific Coast. The area affected by the advisory is densely populated, and the larger community in the area is Kodiak which is home to 5,200 people.
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.3 – 87 km S of Sand Point, Alaska https://t.co/f2y4NEf6YE
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) July 16, 2025
In a statement to ABC News, Kodiak police said sirens were sounded in the city which means people need to move to higher ground. The police added that any impact in the area would be expected at about 2:40 pm (local time). Authorities said there haven't been any reports of damage due to the earthquake in Kodiak.
Kodiak police urged residents to utilize emergency shelters in the local elementary and high schools if there's a need to evacuate from the inundation zone. Soon after data analysis from the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis, the Washington Emergency Management said there was no danger for Washington state from the earthquake in Alaska.
After the tsunami advisory was issued, a report in The Guardian stated the first waves are poised to hit the village of Sand Point, a community which houses close to 600 people on Popof Island.