Magnitude 7.2 Quake Hits Alaska Peninsula, Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula region at 12:29 AM Alaska time on July 17, 2023. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 65 miles (106 kilometers) southeast of Sand Point, Alaska.

USGS revised the magnitude of the earthquake down to 7.2 from an initial reading of 7.4, and it revised the depth of the quake to 32.6 km (20.3 miles) from an initial 9.3 km.

The earthquake was felt in several communities in Alaska, including Sand Point, King Cove, and Cold Bay. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. The warning was later downgraded to a watch.

The earthquake occurred in an area where the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate. This is a seismically active region, and earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon.

 

Here are some more details about the earthquake:

• USGS revised the magnitude of the earthquake down to 7.2 from an initial reading of 7.4, and it revised the depth of the quake to 32.6 km (20.3 miles) from an initial 9.3 km.
• The earthquake was felt in several communities in Alaska, including Sand Point, King Cove, and Cold Bay.
• There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
• The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. The warning was later downgraded to a watch.
• The earthquake occurred in an area where the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate. This is a seismically active region, and earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon.