A significant earthquake hit southern Southeast Alaska just before midnight Friday. It prompted a tsunami warning which was cancelled about two hours later after only minor changes in ocean levels were observed.
The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center says its magnitude was 7.5.
The Alaska Earthquake Information center says it struck at a depth of about 3 miles off the western coast of Prince of Wales Island. The epicenter is about 70 miles west of Craig, 110 miles south of Sitka, 120 miles southwest of Petersburg and Wrangell and about 200 miles south of Juneau.
Officials immediately issued a tsunami warning for all coastal areas of Southeast Alaska. The warning extends south to the northern tip of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island and northwest to Cape Suckling, 75 miles southeast of Cordova. The warning was cancelled around two hours later.
Officials in Sitka and parts of Prince of Wales Island called for evacuation of low-lying areas.
Officials in Petersburg are also advising residents to move to at least 100 feet in elevation.
A tsunami advisory, noting a lesser threat, extended south to the Washington-British Columbia border and west to near Homer.
There’s no word so far of damage or injuries.
