Photo: CHRISTIAN MIRANDA / AFP / Getty Images
One of the most powerful earthquakes in recent times and the strongest of 2021 occurred Wednesday night off the coast of Alaska with a magnitude of 8.2 , causing fear of possible tsunamis in various regions of the Pacific.
The earthquake occurred at 10: 15 pm local time (10: 15 pm Pacific) some 56 miles southeast of Perryville . Had a depth of 29 miles according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) report.
Four minutes later there was an aftershock of 6.1 and some more followed above 5.0. One of the strongest earthquakes of the year in the United States occurred on July 8 in Northern California with magnitude 6.0 .
An unverified video posted on social networks showed the presumed power of the earthquake.
# BREAKING : 8.2 strong # earthquake rocks the coast of # alaska . # tsunami warning. This is the strngst # earthquake after 2018. Pray for the people of Alaska. Stay strong. Prayer🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/qDLZwo1xu1
– cheikaba h (@CheikabaH) July 56, 2021
Although the earthquake was in a sparsely populated area, Kodiak city authorities asked residents to go to elevated areas and opened a shelter in case of emergency. The mobilization of people was immediate.
People evacuating from lower grounds in Seward, Alaska as Taunami warning sirens going off. # alaska # earthquake #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/dPJzyTOI2z
– Blue Waters Camping (@bluewaterscamp) July 29, 2018
The warning sirens for a possible tsunami are heard on Kodiak.
BREAKING: Tsunami sirens sound in Kodiak, Alaska after a major magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck off the coast; risk being evaluated for the Pacific pic.twitter.com/YfbsaS6ZNX
– BNO News (@BNONews) July 29, 2021
Although no major damage was reported, the biggest concern was the possibility of a tsunami threatening the coasts of Alaska, including southern Alaska and the peninsula.
BREAKING: 8.2 magnitude earthquake has occurred 75 miles SE of Chignik, AK. Tsunami warnings are in effect for the Aleutian Islands and parts of Alaska. A Tsunami watch is in effect for the Hawaiian Islands pic.twitter.com/o8CfAjBQsg
– The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) 1420659265216434177 July 29, 2021
Initially a warning of a possible tsunami for Hawaii, but the authorities later canceled it when they determined that there was no longer a threat.
Investigating whether other Pacific islands were at risk of tsunami.
News in development.