Massive M8.2 earthquake hits Alaska triggering small tsunami waves (videos and pictures)

Parts of Alaska are under tsunami advisories after a M8.2 earthquake struck off the coast along the Aleutian Trench south of the Alaska Peninsula.

The very strong and shallow quake (29 miles deep or 46.7 km) was located about 56 miles (91 kilometers) east southeast of Perryville, Alaska, and occurred around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday night local time.

“This event was felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak,” according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. Although far away from inhabited areas, more than 250 people reported it on the USGS website.

There have been at least two strong aftershocks, including a preliminary M6.1 and M5.9.

Minor tsunami confirmed

Only a small tsunami has been confirmed. Maximum measured wave heights were less than 1ft (30 cm).

Some minor impacts are expected for parts of the some coast in South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the tsunami warning has been lifted, but is still an advisory from Hinchinbrook Entrance, Alaska (90 miles E of Seward) to Unimak Pass, Alaska (80 miles NE of Unalaska).

12:35 AM AKDT update: the tsunami warning has been lifted, but is still an advisory from Samalga Pass to Hinchinbrook Entrance (90 miles E of Seward).

Aftershocks have been occurring & are expected to continue, and we will post about significant events.

Stay vigilant, Alaska!

— Alaska Earthquake Center (@AKearthquake) July 29, 2021

Warnings for distant areas including Guam and Hawaii have been lifted. “Based on all available data there is no tsunami threat,” the National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Scientists continue to monitor the situation. The level of tsunami danger is being evaluated for other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, according to the NWS.

Update: From the Tsunami Warning Center, at this time NO tsunami watch, warning or advisory is in effect for the California coast.

Will pass along any additional updates within the hour and through the morning as needed. #CAwx #tsunami

— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) July 29, 2021

The quake was likely a thrust quake of the Pacific tectonic plate sliding in northern direction under the North American plate at the Aleutian Trench.

I felt it reports for the Alaska earthquake

441.4 km N of epicenter: My cabin was shacking, so i got me and my child out of bed and walked out to see the pond get a bunch of ripples like that t-rex scene from Jurassic park.

474.1 km NNW of epicenter: It felt like it was swaying for a good long while. At first I thought the wind picked up and was shaking house like it sometimes does but it acted differently and for a longer period.

705.3 km NNE of epicenter: Long rolling sensation made hanging decor swing. Felt dizzy as it weakly swayed back and forth for us to a minute. Heard no jolts or rattles. On upper floor.

Kenai: I couldn’t tell it was an earthquake at first. It felt like I was swaying side to side in my rocking chair. It made me feel dizzy, like I was rocking on a boat. It was very strange.

More here.

Comparison to earlier quakes in Alaska

Today’s quake was about 5 times stronger than last year’s M7.4 on October 19, 2020 and M7.6 quake on July 22, 2020 that hit just 40 and 90 miles away, respectively.

Today’s earthquake hit in almost the same area as the similarly strong M8.2 quake on November 10, 1938. [Volcano discovery, CNN]

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