Tsunami warnings canceled after massive earthquake off Alaska triggers threat for US coastline
The warning center said the tsunami generated small waves that rose sea levels about three inches or 0.2 feet.
Tsunami Warning dropped after massive earthquake triggers alerts for Alaska coastline
Tsunami Warnings were issued for parts of coastal Alaska after a 7.3 quake hit just off the coast Wednesday morning. They've since been downgraded to an advisory.
SAND POINT, Alaska – A massive magnitude 7.3 earthquake that shook off the coast of a group of Alaskan islands on Wednesday afternoon triggered a small tsunami, officials said.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake happened at 12:37 p.m. local time and was pinpointed roughly 54 miles from Sand Point, Alaska, centered about 12 miles deep.
Alaska earthquake information on July 16, 2025.
(FOX Weather)
Just after the quake, NOAA's National Tsunami Warning Center issued Tsunami Warnings for the immediate Alaska coastline from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, including all of Kodiak Island, Chignik and Cold Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard reported it evacuated personnel from its base at Kodiak to higher ground and had two air crews stand ready to assist.
The agency initially said a tsunami of up to about a foot was possible and alerted those inside the warning that some local impacts could be expected.
However, the warning was downgraded to an advisory a little over an hour later as the threat waned, then eventually canceled. A buoy measured a small tsunami at Sand Point, sensing a water rise of just 0.2 feet, or about 3 inches, according to NOAA.
Magnitude 7.3 earthquake shakes Alaska
Dr. Michael West, a Seismologist from the Alaska Earthquake Center, joins FOX Weather to share the latest news and updates for the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that shook parts of Alaska.
"A tsunami was generated by this event, but no longer poses a threat," the Tsunami Warning Center said. "Some areas may continue to see small sea level changes."
There are no initial reports of any damage from either the quake or tsunami.
"The entire southern coast of Alaska is a gigantic earthquake zone," said Michael West, seismologist with the Alaska Earthquake Center. "Four out of five earthquakes in the United States happen in Alaska."
West said earthquakes happen frequently in that area, though not all of them are as large or even felt at all.
"Early signs suggest we're on the lucky side today," he said.
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How does a tsunami happen?
FOX Weather Meteorologist Ian Oliver explains how an earthquake can cause a tsunami.
Tsunamis are a series of dangerous waves that can occur after massive movements in terrain, such as earthquakes or landslides.
West said seismologists and the Tsunami Warning Center will continue to gather data on the quake.