This is a developing story. Check back for further updates.
A large earthquake has struck off the coast of Alaska. A tsunami warning has been issued for the US west coast.
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Initial reports of the earthquake’s magnitude were conflicting, but the US Geological Survey now states it was magnitude 7.9. It struck 280 kilometres south-east of Kodiak, Alaska, at a depth of 25km.
The initial tsunami alert was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. It said the tsunami “could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter”.
A more detailed alert has since been posted by the National Tsunami Warning Center. Tsunami warnings are now in effect for British Columbia, South-East Alaska, South Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. California, Oregon and Washington have also been placed on tsunami watch, a lower level of alert. However, a tsunami watch for the state of Hawaii has been cancelled.
So far there are no reports of significant damage. At 02:29 local time, the Kodiak Police Department reported that water was receding from the harbour, which can be a sign of an imminent tsunami. However, at 03:21 the Kodiak Area Emergency Services Organization announced that the tsunami warning had been “downgraded to an advisory“, but that people should nevertheless “remain at high ground”.
The National Weather Service tweeted that a buoy just north-east of the epicentre recorded a water displacement of 10 metres.
The NTWC has also tweeted a map showing when the tsunami is expected to strike different Pacific coasts:
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