  Anchorage  | |
| UTC time | 2018-01-23 09:31:40 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 611653794 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | January 23, 2018 |
| Local time | 00:31:42 Alaska Standard Time |
| Magnitude | 7.9 Mww[1] |
| Depth | 25 km (15.5 mi) |
| Epicenter | 56°02′46″N 149°04′23″W / 56.046°N 149.073°W |
| Type | Strike-slip |
| Areas affected | United States Canada |
| Max. intensity | MMI V (Moderate)[2] |
| Tsunami | Yes |
| Aftershocks | 564 (As of 1 March 2018)[3] |
| Casualties | None |
On January 23, 2018, at 00:31 AKST, an earthquake occurred in the Gulf of Alaska near Kodiak Island. The earthquake, measured at 7.9 on the Mw scale, was approximately 280 kilometers (170 mi) southeast of Kodiak and happened at a depth of 25 kilometers (16 mi).[2]
It was initially measured as a M 8.2 event, but later downgraded by the United States Geological Survey.[4] The earthquake was felt throughout most of southern Alaska, including the major cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks, and parts of neighboring British Columbia.[5][6]
The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings and advisories for Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Residents in low-lying areas along the Gulf of Alaska and in British Columbia were evacuated to shelters and higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later cancelled most of the alerts within four hours of the earthquake, due to the apparent lack of tsunami.[4][7] The highest recorded waves after the event measured at under 8.3 inches (21 cm) above tide level on Kodiak Island.[8]
- ^ ANSS: Alaska 2018 (accessed March 24, 2018).
- ^ a b ANSS. "M 7.9 – 280km SE of Kodiak, Alaska". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ "USGS earthquake catalog". United States Geological Survey.
- ^ a b "Tsunami warning issued after magnitude 7.9 earthquake strikes off Alaska coast". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ Hanlon, Tegan; Hollander, Zaz; Herz, Nathaniel (January 23, 2018). "7.9 quake in Gulf of Alaska spurs tsunami alerts, evacuations". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ Hollander, Zaz; Hanlon, Tegan (January 23, 2018). "Orderly evacuations prevailed in Alaska coastal cities after 7.9 earthquake set off tsunami scare". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ Mullany, Gerry; Ramzy, Austin; Fountain, Henry (January 23, 2018). "Alaska Earthquake Prompts Tsunami Warning". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service: NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "Tsunami Event Information". doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Retrieved March 22, 2024.