Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami Warnings

Originally, the earthquake was believed to be a magnitude 8.2.  It was later downgraded to 7.9.  The earthquake hit during the early morning hours in the Gulf of Alaska, creating a tsunami fear, as well.  A series of aftershocks followed, with the strongest hitting the area at 5.3.

A few hours later the U.S. Tsunami Warning System rescinded all threat warnings surrounding the Kodiak-area quake.  The advisory had warned the coastline areas from Chignik Bay, Alaska, to the Hinchinbrook Entrance, about 90 miles east of Seward of a possible tsunami.

The initial quake centered 12 miles below sea level, and caused no deaths, injuries, or damage.  According to USGS, this is the twelfth earthquake in the last century, and within 600 kilometers of the source, to hit a magnitude of 7.0 or higher. The Kodiak quake reportedly occurred as a result of strike slip faulting where the Pacific tectonic plate converges with the North American plate.

– Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary