A tsunami warning has been issued for much of the southern coast of Alaska and the Alaskan Peninsula following a huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake late Tuesday night local time (July 21).
The earthquake was recorded 75 miles off the town of Chignik at a depth of eight miles, the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences added.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center - which issues tsunami information for the continental United States and Canada - issued the following live event map just moments ago (Wednesday, July 22):
Per Fox News, locals of coastal cities along the state have reported hearing sirens - such as the Twitter user below who shared dramatic video footage from Kodiak, Alaska.
The Mirror reports that an alert said the level of tsunami danger is also being evaluated for other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America.
The warning from the official tsunami.gov website reads:
"Tsunami Warning in Effect for:
- SOUTH ALASKA AND THE ALASKA PENINSULA, Pacific coasts from Kennedy Entrance, Alaska (40 miles SW of Homer) to Unimak Pass, Alaska (80 miles NE of Unalaska).
- ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, Unimak Pass, Alaska (80 miles NE of Unalaska) to Samalga Pass, Alaska (30 miles SW of Nikolski).
Tsunami Advisory in Effect for:
- SOUTH ALASKA AND THE ALASKA PENINSULA, Pacific coasts from Cape Suckling, Alaska (75 miles SE of Cordova) to Kennedy Entrance, Alaska (40 miles SW of Homer).
- ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, Samalga Pass, Alaska (30 miles SW of Nikolski) to Amchitka Pass, Alaska (125 miles W of Adak) including the Pribilof Islands."
Other areas at risk are still being evaluated.
The warning continues:
"Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300km of the earthquake epicenter."
The alert read: "If you are in a tsunami warning area, evacuate inland or to higher ground above and beyond designated tsunami hazard zones or move to an upper floor of a multi-story building depending on your situation.
"Move out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays, and inlets.
"Be alert to and follow instructions from your local emergency officials because they may have more detailed of specific information for your location."
Other locals are now taking to social media to share footage of the evacuation sirens.
It is still unknown if the huge earthquake has caused any injuries or damage.
If the earthquake is not downgraded, it will be one of the strongest reported for 2020.
Stay safe.
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