Tsunami Alert Reduced Following 7.2 Magnitude Quake Near Alaska

A substantial quake near the southern peninsula of Alaska initially triggered a tsunami warning, which was later lowered to an advisory.

At approximately 12:38 p.m. local time, an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 occurred about 50 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska, prompting the National Weather Service to downgrade an initial tsunami warning to an advisory on Wednesday afternoon.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported several aftershocks in the area near Sand Point following the quake.

Dave Snider, who coordinates tsunami warnings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, informed local media KTUU that while a tsunami has been confirmed, significant large waves are not anticipated for the southwestern coastline.

"Fortunately, this incident occurred in shallow waters," Snider explained, minimizing the likelihood of major water surges reaching the coast.

NOAA stated the earthquake's depth was about 12 miles.

The areas at risk extended from the Kennedy Entrance—a maritime route linking the Gulf of Alaska to Cook Inlet—to Unimak Pass, situated west of Unimak Island at the peninsula's tip. As of 5:30 p.m. ET, Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, remained unaffected.

The Alaska Earthquake Center reported the tremor was felt across the Alaska Peninsula and the southern part of the state.

Earlier the same day, the region experienced a smaller quake of magnitude 5.2, positioned roughly 40 miles southeast of Atka Island.

Alaska's southern shoreline is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," known for its frequent seismic activity. The most powerful earthquake on record in North America occurred there in March 1964, when a 9.2-magnitude event ravaged Anchorage and sparked a tsunami, resulting in over 250 fatalities.