Tsunami warning after 7.3 magnitude earthquake triggers mass evacuation in Alask
The evacuation zone in the remote cities of Sand Point, Cold Bay, Sand and Kodiak are located on Popof Island around 600 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
Residents are being urged to flee inland or find higher ground if possible, according to the National Weather Service.
The huge earthquake struck 54 miles south of Sand Point, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The tsunami warning is in effect from South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula to Kennedy Entrance and Unimak Pass, Alaska, on the Pacific Coast.
The National Weather Service said on X: 'A Tsunami Warning has been issued for the Alaska Peninsula areas from the Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass.
'Cities included are Cold Bay, Sand Point, and Kodiak. We can say with reasonable confidence that the Kenai Peninsula Borough locations will not see impacts.'
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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Powerful 7.3-magnitude quake rocks Alaska and sparks tsunami warning
Thousands of Americans along Alaska's coastline raced to higher ground on Wednesday, abandoning their homes after a major earthquake triggered a tsunami warning. The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected a 7.3 magnitude at approximately 12:38pm local time (4:30pm ET), centered in the Pacific Ocean just south of the Alaska Peninsula near the Shumagin Islands, southeast of Sand Point. Sirens wailed and emergency alerts lit up phones across the region, warning residents across a vast stretch of southwestern Alaska, from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass near Unalaska, to evacuate immediately. Rachel Lord, the mayor of Homer, said: 'We've been hearing [that] initially there was a lot of bumper-to-bumper traffic and people just trying to get you know to get off the spit.' Officials also warned of potential tsunami impacts on Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula, and parts of the eastern Aleutian Islands, with some areas expected to be hit first. Dramatic images showed an eerily bare shoreline, the ocean having suddenly vanished, a chilling sign that a tsunami could be moments away. David Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told KTUU that a tsunami had been confirmed, saying the tsunami generated small waves that rose sea levels about three inches. The Tsunami Warning Center said: 'A tsunami was generated by this event, but no longer poses a threat. Some areas may continue to see small sea level changes.' The initial alert issued a full tsunami warning shortly after the 7.3 magnitude quake struck but was downgraded to a tsunami advisory roughly 90 minutes later and then canceled at 12:45pm local (6:45pm ET). Locals have been warned that unusual waves will continue for about 24 hours, and to stay cautious into Thursday. As panic spread across coastal communities, officials confirmed that Kodiak High School and North Star Elementary School had been opened to the public as emergency shelters. In Seward, a southern Alaska port town, one resident shared a video to X, revealing she had just returned to Alaska after 25 years, only to find herself fleeing from a tsunami threat. The clip shows her and several others walking briskly away from the coast and heading for higher ground. 'Just pray we don't get waved,' she says nervously, before ending the recording. The Alaska Earthquake Center has recorded more than 20 aftershocks following Wednesday's powerful quake, with the strongest so far measuring magnitude 5.2. Michael West, seismologist with the Alaska Earthquake Center, told Fox Weather: 'The entire southern coast of Alaska is a gigantic earthquake zone. Four out of five earthquakes in the United States happen in Alaska.' West noted that earthquakes are common in the region, though many are too small to be felt and rarely reach this magnitude. He said: 'Early signs suggest we're on the lucky side today.' The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a statement moments after the monster quake struck, confirming there was no tsunami threat to Oregon, Washington or other US states outside Alaska. The NTWC said the advisory covered an area stretching approximately 700 miles, from about 40 miles southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass, near the eastern Aleutian Islands. Although the shaking was felt most intensely in southern Alaska, where it struck near the Aleutian subduction zone, the energy released by the quake did not stay local. Seismic waves, vibrations that travel through the Earth, activated seismic sensors as far east as the East Coast of the US and reaching across the ocean to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. While the vibrations were not strong enough to be felt by people thousands of miles away, sensitive instruments captured every pulse of the Earth's movement in real time. Using a global network of sensors and cutting-edge computer simulations, scientists converted the raw data into animations showing how the seismic energy rippled out from the epicenter like waves from a stone thrown into water. A yellow star marked ground zero on the map in Alaska, while red and blue dots representing seismic stations lit up one by one as the waves swept past. In less than a minute, the tremors had reached monitoring stations across the world. Large earthquakes are known to redistribute stress along fault lines, sometimes increasing the strain on already vulnerable zones. If those areas are near their breaking point, the added pressure could trigger aftershocks or even fresh quakes, not just locally, but potentially in distant regions connected by geological stress transfer. In rare cases, shifting stress can also activate entirely separate fault systems, making this kind of global disturbance more than a geological curiosity. The vibrations were captured using real-time computer simulations that convert raw seismic data into animations of Earth's movement, showing how ground motion travels outward from the epicenter. An animation of the traveling shockwaves depicted blue and red seismic stations scattered across the map, lighting up as each recorded the powerful geological event. The visual sequence, starting at 0.00 seconds, showed the epicenter marked with a yellow star, with a red line tracing the expanding wavefronts as they moved away from Alaska. As time progressed from 1.97 to 64.94 seconds, the seismic waves continued their relentless expansion. In the early stages, between 1.97 and 15.74 seconds, the waves primarily impacted the western coast of North America. The primary waves reached seismic stations in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, with the red line on the map illustrating their rapid advance. This phase highlighted the immediate regional impact, where the energy of the quake was most intensely concentrated. During the mid-stages, from 17.71 to 37.39 seconds, the seismic waves pushed further inland across the US. The wavefronts began to reach stations in Canada and the central US, demonstrating the broadening scope of the earthquake's influence. The red line on the map continued to extend, tracking the waves' progression as they traversed the continent. In the later stages of the event, between 39.36 and 64.94 seconds, the seismic waves reached the East Coast and began influencing stations in Europe and Asia. Adding to the mystery, a massive magnetic pulse was detected at the exact moment the earthquake occurred. The very second the rupture began, Earth's magnetic field showed a sharp spike. Within hours, a G1-class geomagnetic storm developed, disrupting the planet's magnetic environment. Strangely, this occurred despite otherwise nominal solar wind conditions, prompting researchers to question whether the quake may have played a role in triggering the storm. While the link between earthquakes and geomagnetic activity remains poorly understood, the coincidence is striking.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
'Afternoon delights' with strangers stop me from falling in love
Welcome to How I Do It, the series in which we give you a seven-day sneak peek into the sex life of a stranger. This week we hear from Cheri*, a 27-year-old bisexual writer. She's currently single, but is keen to explore new people and sexual interactions. 'One thing I'm particularly happy with about my sex life is my ability to separate sex from emotions, which makes casual sex enjoyable,' she says. 'But I'd like my sex life to be more frequent and to try some more kinky things.' Cheri's four year relationship ended two years ago, and since then she's opted for no-strings sex because she 'tends to fall too hard, too soon' when dating. 'This approach avoids me feeling lonely while single, but also ensures I remain focused on myself and my work,' she adds. So without further ado, here's how Cheri got on this week… The following sex diary is, as you might imagine, not safe for work . Love reading juicy stories like this? Need some tips for how to spice things up in the bedroom? Sign up to The Hook-Up and we'll slide into your inbox every week with all the latest sex and dating stories from Metro. We can't wait for you to join us! I'm spending a week in Oxford for a change of scenery, and once I arrive, I get off to a wholesome start. I unpack my bags, touch up my mascara, and head into town to explore. It's my first time here and I've got plenty of recommendations from friends. The sun is shining, and the city is filled with tourists and students. I spot a nice cafe and decide to sit down for a while. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a couple at the next table. He has his arm around her and is kissing the top of her head as she nestles into him. For a moment, I feel slightly envious. I've been single for a few years now, and for the most part, I'm very content with it. I've grown to enjoy all the perks of singledom, like having full control over Netflix and getting an entire double bed to myself. The only thing I miss is that physical touch. I want to have sex again. I look at the options of dating apps on my phone. Will I go for Tinder, Bumble, Hinge or Feeld? I decide that I'll put my efforts in Bumble this time. I've tried all the apps while travelling around the UK and Europe, but Bumble is definitely my favourite. I update my account with some recent photos and check my prompts. Then, it's time to swipe. I always start very picky and then slowly deteriorate and lower my standards. But I pause when I reach Josh's* profile. His first photo features him on the beach, a cheap way to show off his extremely toned physique. I hope he's still this tanned, as he looks absolutely delicious. I feel a familiar stirring in my body; I'm definitely attracted to this man. His profile doesn't reveal much about him, just that he's 26 and a tennis coach. I swipe right for Josh, and every time I get a Bumble notification about a new 'bee in the hive' (aka a match), I hope it will be him. But it's all the other men I swiped right for who suddenly seem less attractive in comparison. Waking up on a Monday morning is never enjoyable, but I spend a few minutes with my trusty vibrator to ease myself into the week. I imagine a man touching my body as I press my trusty toy against my clit. I really want to have sex soon. Once I finally get out of bed, I check my phone and discover Josh matched with me at 2 am last night. I wonder why he was on a dating app at that time. Was he looking for a quickie? Was he looking at the photos as he touched himself? I message Josh and decide to make a joke about whether he'll give me a tennis lesson. He replies within minutes. We chat, flirt a bit, and the conversation is easy. I decide to be completely transparent and tell him exactly what I'm looking for out of this. I'm only in Oxford for a few more days, and I just want a fun one-night stand with no strings attached. As soon as I send the message, a wave of embarrassment washes over me and I briefly debate deleting the app. But then he replies, saying he's definitely interested, topped off with a cheeky emoji. The hard part turns out to be planning our one-night stand. I'm leaving on Friday, and Josh is working in the evenings this week, teaching tennis to kids after school, or professionals who work their jobs during the day. His one-night stand could only start at about 11pm when I'm usually tucked up in bed. I also don't love the idea of meeting someone for the first time that late at night. Josh suggests we meet in the afternoon instead; my instinct is to decline. I can't have sex with someone in the middle of the afternoon…right? A one-night stand must happen at night, an inherently sexier time of day. But then I think about it for a moment. I love getting my sleep at night, and this way, that wouldn't be disrupted at all. Also, meeting up with a stranger for sex in broad daylight is probably way safer. Why not have a one-night stand in the afternoon? I agree, and we plan for Josh to come over tomorrow at 2pm. I'm looking forward to it but I'm also terrified. Either way, I'm having sex tomorrow. The hardest part turns out to be creating a sexy daytime outfit. I settle on a fitted long skirt, a black t-shirt, and some natural looking makeup with a bronzed glow. Josh arrives right on time, and I open the front door to see him strolling over. Oh, he is just as cute as his photos. We naturally both move into a hug, which shouldn't feel this awkward since we're [hopefully] going to be naked together soon. We head to the living room and I make us both a cup of coffee. We talk a bit, and there is soon a lull in the conversation. I offer a 'house tour', and Josh eagerly agrees. I show him around, and then we reach my bedroom. Josh looks around and then sits on the bed, watching me intently. Alright, this is happening. I walk over so I'm standing between his legs, and I lean over and kiss him. Josh responds eagerly, wrapping his hands around my waist to pull me closer. We fumble onto the bed, making out as if we've known each other for a lot longer than twenty minutes. Our clothes are quickly shed, and Josh nuzzles his face into my neck, telling me I look 'so gorgeous'. I giggle and thank him. I go down on Josh, and he returns the favour. I tell him I want him and he immediately moves up. I remind him to grab a condom, and he obliges with a mischievous grin. We have sex, first in missionary and then moving into doggie-style, at which point I orgasm. Josh gives my behind a playful smack, and I urge him on. Once he finishes and disposes of the condom, we lie down, both panting and laughing together about the fact that we first met in person about an hour ago. 'Have you ever done this before?' I ask Josh. He says he's had casual sex, but never this quickly, and definitely never in the middle of the afternoon. I like the thought that I'm his first; it makes me feel special. We have sex again and end up in doggie-style again to finish it off. I message Josh to tell him that I had a great time. He tells me that he keeps thinking about taking me from behind and the view he had from there. After a few saucy messages back and forth, we plan for Josh to come over again this afternoon. I kiss Josh as soon as he walks through the door, pushing him against the wall. He seems to enjoy my forwardness, and we quickly move upstairs. He asks me to go down on him again, and I gladly comply. We start with me on top, and Josh seems to really enjoy it. I'm surprised that I don't feel more self-conscious about my body in this position, considering I don't know him, and he is so toned. But something about the casual nature of our meetups allows me to shed my insecurities and just enjoy the sex. I know I'll never see him again, so it feels like a business arrangement almost. If I'm not trying to impress him I can just embrace my larger body. In the break between sessions, we talk openly about our lives and sexual interests. There's a sense of intimacy in both knowing exactly why we're here and not hoping for anything more. I wake up to a message from Josh saying he had a great time and safe travels. He tells me to 'hit him up' if I'm ever back in Oxford. I reply saying I definitely will and good luck with everything. He doesn't reply again. More Trending As I'm packing my bags, I discover a discarded pair of underwear on the floor, likely tossed to the side in the throws of sex. I have a 'sex flashback' to looking up at Josh while on my knees. I cringe slightly at the memory, my cheeks flushing, but I also feel strangely comfortable with everything that happened. View More » I get on my train, leaving Oxford, Josh and my first one-afternoon stand behind me. It definitely won't be the last time I enjoy an 'afternoon delight.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Dating app horror: I discovered he got a girl pregnant after finding him on Bumble MORE: I married an AI bot – my human wife doesn't mind at all MORE: I thought my date was too young but I was the immature one
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Here's why record-high flash flood warnings were issued in U.S. this year
There has been a record-high number of flash flood warnings issued in the U.S. this year, which can be linked to climate change and improved weather systems. The catastrophic and deadly flash flooding in central Texas earlier this month has brought attention to the increasing intensity of these weather events and how Americans can prepare for them. More than 130 people, including dozens of children, died after the Guadalupe River burst its banks on July 4, and many more are still missing. Following the disaster, questions have been raised about whether officials could have done more to protect Texans, including installing flood warning sirens in the area. But floods are not unique to Texas. NBC News reported, citing data from Iowa State University, there was a record number of more than 3,000 flash flood warnings issued in the U.S. from January 1 to July 15. A flash flood warning is issued by the National Weather Service when a sudden violent flood is imminent or occurring. The outlet previously reported there were at least four one-in-1,000-year rainfall events from July 4 to 8, flooding parts of Texas, North Carolina, New Mexico and Chicago. Climate change can make river floods larger or more frequent in some places, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 'As warmer temperatures cause more water to evaporate from the land and oceans, changes in the size and frequency of heavy precipitation events may in turn affect the size and frequency of river flooding,' the EPA wrote on its website. But one expert explained another reason why there are more flash flood alerts than ever before. Amir AghaKouchak, director of the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing at the University of California, Irvine, told NBC News radar systems and weather models have significantly improved over the last 40 years. 'The system that was implemented back in the '80s is not the same as the system that we have now,' he said. 'We have many, many more radars, and we have many different sources of data.' 'So naturally you expect more warnings just because our systems are getting better and better,' the expert added.
