WASHINGTON — The U.S. Geological Survey reports an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 occurred 175 miles off the southeast coast of Kodiak, Alaska early Tuesday. It was followed by an 5.6 aftershock several hours later.
The first quake was reported at 12:32 a.m. Eastern. Initially, it was reported as an 8.2. The 5.6 magnitude aftershock occurred at 6:47 a.m.
The quake prompted tsunami warnings and watches along the coast of British Columbia and Alaska, and for most of of the West Coast, according to the National Weather Service.
The tsunami watches and warnings were canceled by 7:15 a.m.
Just after the earthquake, warnings from the National Weather Service sent to cellphones in Alaska warned: “Emergency Alert. Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland.”
Because of the tsunami warning, Kodiak Police on the department’s Facebook page urged people to evacuate to areas that are 100 feet above sea level.
In Kodiak, harbor officers reported at 6:30 a.m. that water was receding from the harbor, according to Kodiak police.
People reported on social media that the quake was felt hundreds of miles away, in Anchorage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
