Earthquake in Alaska: Tsunami warning after enormous 7.8m tremor strikes off coast
- The shallow quake struck at 6.12am Wednesday and triggered a tsunami warning
- It hit around 500 miles southwest of Anchorage and 60 miles south of Perryville
- A distance of 200 miles surrounding the epicentre is at risk of a tsunami
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Alaska - putting nearby coastal settlements at risk of a tsunami.
The shallow six-mile wide quake started at 6.12am GMT on Wednesday, or 11.25pm PST on Tuesday.
It was felt as far away as Anchorage, a distance of 500 miles, and hit around 60 miles south-southeast of the remote settlement of Perryville, according to the US Geological Survey.
The shallow six-mile wide quake started at 6.12am GMT on Wednesday, or 11.25pm on Wednesday PST, on Wednesday
The earthquake had a depth of six miles.
Terrified residents heard warning sirens amid fears they would be swamped by a tsunami and evacuations quickly began in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The United States Geological Survey said a warning was in effect for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
They said that tsunami activity could hit within the next hour at points along the Alaskan coast.
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A distance of 200 miles surrounding the epicentre of the quake has been put on the watch for a tsunami - which is a large wave of water triggered by the dramatic shifting of tectonic plates during an earthquake.
At risk areas include Amchitka Pass, Samalga Pass, Kennedy Entrance and Cape Suckling.
Aftershocks are expected to continue over the next week.
A spokesman for USGS, which measures the risk, said: 'The USGS advises everyone to be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, especially when in or around vulnerable structures such as unreinforced masonry buildings.
Headlights can be seen trailing along a road in Homer, AK, as evacuations began following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake
'This earthquake could be part of a sequence. An earthquake sequence may have larger and potentially damaging earthquakes in the future, so remember to: Drop, Cover, and Hold on.'
The body forecast a four per cent chance of another earthquake even larger than 7.8 magnitude.
More to follow.
