Powerful 7.3 earthquake rocks Alaska — scientists say more are coming

Yahoo

5 days ago

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck offshore of Alaska's Peninsula region on July 16, 2025, at 12:37 PM local time, prompting immediate tsunami warnings and evacuations across multiple coastal communities. Hitting 55 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska, the earthquake was felt across a vast area, extending from the immediate epicenter to major cities like Anchorage and Juneau.
The earthquake's effects varied dramatically across Alaska's expansive coastline. In tiny Sand Point, the closest community to the epicenter with about 600 residents, locals reported objects flying from pantries and shelves as the ground shook violently. Homer residents described the motion as "mild rolling" with lamps and plants swaying gently. Despite the significant magnitude, luckily, no major structural damage has been reported in communities nearest to the earthquake's source.
Alaska tsunami warning issued — then revoked
The human response was swift and coordinated. Within minutes of the earthquake, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning covering a 700-mile stretch of Alaska's southern coast. Communities from Sand Point to Unalaska quickly activated evacuation procedures, with residents moving to higher ground as a precautionary measure. Video footage on social media showed orderly evacuations in Seward, where tourists and locals alike walked uphill to safety zones. (Alaskan residents are pretty good at this by now!)
"We have seen other earthquakes in the area that have not generated significant tsunami waves, but we're treating it seriously and going through our procedures," explained Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for Alaska's emergency management division.
The tsunami warning initially covered communities from 40 miles southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass, affecting major population centers including Kodiak (population 5,200), King Cove (870 residents), and Unalaska (4,100 residents). The U.S. Coast Guard evacuated personnel at its Kodiak base to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Fortunately, the Alaska earthquake generated only minimal water level changes and damage reports remained surprisingly minimal. Sand Point Police Chief Benjamin Allen confirmed no damage to critical infrastructure, including the airport and harbor. The most notable damage occurred at the Alaska Commercial general store, where about half of the alcohol aisle crashed to the floor, creating what manager Vickey McDonald described as a "horrendous" smell from broken bottles of barbecue sauce, pickles, and other liquids.
This limited damage pattern reflects both Alaska's experience with seismic activity and the earthquake's offshore location, which reduced the intensity of ground shaking in populated areas. The warning system also worked as designed — officials downgraded the tsunami warning to an advisory within an hour, and completely canceled all alerts by 2:45 PM. The advisory system warned people to stay away from beaches and waterways until the all-clear was given.
More earthquakes possible — even likely
Naturally, travelers and residents should prepare for continued seismic activity in the region. The U.S. Geological Survey's Aftershock Forecast indicates that at least one magnitude 6 or greater earthquake is possible within the next week, with smaller earthquakes highly likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
This prediction reflects the nature of major earthquakes, which typically generate extended sequences of aftershocks as surrounding rock formations adjust to their new stress patterns. While most aftershocks will be smaller than the main event, some can still be significant enough to cause additional concern.
For travelers planning visits to Alaska's southern coast, it's important to understand that this region remains seismically active. The Alaska Earthquake Center works continuously with communities to provide tsunami hazard information and evacuation procedures. Visitors should familiarize themselves with local emergency procedures and evacuation routes, particularly in coastal areas.
Lastly, this Alaska earthquake serves as a reminder of the state's position in one of the world's most seismically active regions. The strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America occurred in this area in March 1964, when a 9.2-magnitude earthquake devastated Anchorage and generated a tsunami that killed more than 250 people. Modern monitoring systems and community preparedness have significantly improved since then, as demonstrated by the coordinated response to yesterday's event. The Alaska Earthquake Center provides ongoing monitoring and community education, helping ensure that future earthquakes can be managed with the same effectiveness demonstrated during this latest event. Hopefully, we can stay lucky into the future.