Powerful quake off Alaska prompting Tsunami warning

A powerful earthquake of 7.9 magnitude struck off the coast of Alaska early Tuesday, prompting tsunami warnings or watches as far away as California.

The quake struck at 0931 GMT in the Gulf of Alaska, 280 kilometers (175 miles) southeast of the town of Kodiak, the US Geological Survey said, revising a preliminary estimate of 8.2 magnitude. The epicenter was 10 kilometers under the seabed.

Tsunami warnings were issued for south and southeast Alaska and the west coast of Canada, the National Tsunami Warning Center said.

Less-ominous tsunami watches were issued for the US west coast -- the entire coasts of California and Oregon and part of Washington state -- and Hawaii out in the Pacific.

Vehicles are seen evacuating Kodiak, Alaska in wake of tsunami warning issued after powerful earthquake 175 miles southeast of Kodiak Island early on January 23, 2018. (Photo by CBS)

Tsunami waves could hit the coasts of Oregon and Washington as early as around 1310 GMT, the Portland office of the National Weather Service said.

So far no quake damage or large waves have been reported in Kodiak, which is on an island off the coast, police spokesman Tim Putney told AFP.

Still, authorities urged coast dwellers to seek safety.

"If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground," the Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said.

"Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is possible or is already occurring. Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest."

(Source: AFP)