Alaska earthquake tsunami warning: What to do if you are in the path of the KILLER waves

ALASKA has been hit by a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake – following which a tsunami warning was issued. What should you do if you are in its path?

By Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz /

was recorded off the coast of Alaska in the US today.

The quake was located around 300km south-east of Kodiak – at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) at 9.31am GMT.

Only four earthquakes of a higher magnitude have ever been recorded in the US – and they all caused tsunamis.

Now a has been issued for parts of Alaska and the west coast of Canada.

The announcement warned of ”widespread hazardous tsunami waves”.

A has been put in place for the entire west coast of the US – including California and Oregon, parts of Washington state and Hawaii.

Major cities on tsunami watch are Anchorage and Juneau in Alaska, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in the US and Vancouver and British Colombia in Canada.

Alaska tsunami warning TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER / GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GETTY

ALASKA EARTHQUAKE: An earthquake of 7.9 magnitude was recorded

“Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicentre”

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

What should you do if you find yourself in danger?

The US tsunami warning system has issued advice on what to do to avoid danger should a tsunami hit.

The National Weather Service sent a message to mobile phones in Alaska.

The warning said: “Emergency Alert. Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland.”

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: “Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicentre.”

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    Kodiak officials also warned residents to evacuate low-lying areas.

    The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management warned: “If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground.

    “Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with a significant inundation is possible or already occurring.

    “Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest.”

    The main advice given to people in the affected area is get away from the coastal areas and seek higher ground.

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      The US tsunami warning system urges people to:

      - Move beyond the designated hazard zones or move to an upper floor of a multi-story building

      - Stay out of water – and move as far away as possible

      - Follow local instructions from local emergency officials

      - Do not go anywhere near the shore to observe the tsunami

      Alaska earthquake EPA

      ALASKA EARTHQUAKE: The quake was recorded off the coast of Alaska

      - Stay in your safe place until you hear from local emergency officials it is safe to return

      - If you are in a boat move the boat out to sea to a depth of at least 180 feet

      - Avoid entering shallow water, harbours, marinas and bays

      Ready – the US government’s official campaign to prepare for natural disasters – advises those in the danger area to stay away from the beach and head inland with their family and pets.

      The most powerful quake in the US came on March 27, 1964 – when a 9.2 magnitude earthquake killed 139 people.