Advertisement

Tsunami alert after massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake hits Alaska

;A shallow earthquake of magnitude 8.2 has struck the Alaska Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings in the region, authorities said.

There were no immediate reports on loss of property or life.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake, which struck at 10.15pm local time on Wednesday, was at a depth of 35km.

The 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska
The 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, followed by seven aftershocks. Source: USGS

In Alaska, the National Tsunami Warning Centre (NTWC) issued warnings for southern parts, the Peninsula, and Pacific coastal areas from Hinchinbrook Entrance to Unimak Pass. It also issued a "tsunami watch" for the US state of Hawaii.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the possibility of a tsunami threat to Hawaii and the US Pacific territory of Guam was being investigated.

Japan's Meteorological Agency was investigating whether there was a possibility of a tsunami hitting Japan, the public broadcaster NHK said.

Authorities in New Zealand also said they were assessing if there was any danger to coastal regions.

The US NTWC said it was evaluating the level of tsunami danger for other US and Canadian Pacific coastal areas.

The tremor struck about 91km east-southeast of Perryville in Alaska.

It was about 800km from Anchorage, Alaska's biggest city. It was followed by seven aftershocks, two of them above magnitude 6.0, according to USGS.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.