Alaska hit by 7.3 magnitude earthquake

Strong tremors of earthquake were felt in the US state of Alaska on Thursday morning around 2 am (Indian time). Its magnitude was 7.3 on the Richter scale. After this, a tsunami warning has been issued in the coastal areas of the state. However, it was withdrawn after a few hours.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred near Sand Point on Alaska’s Popof Island. Its epicenter was 36 kilometers below the ground. However, there is no news of any casualties yet.

According to the Alaska Earthquake Agency, about 400 earthquakes were recorded here in a week. The largest earthquake was of 5.1 magnitude near Atka on July 16.

According to Michigan Technological University, an earthquake of 7.0 to 7.9 magnitude is considered capable of causing damage. About 10–15 such earthquakes are recorded in Alaska every year.

Alaska part of the Ring of Fire

Alaska is a seismically active state in the US, accounting for about 11% of the world’s earthquakes and 17.5% of all earthquakes in the US.

Alaska is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for frequent earthquakes and active volcanoes. Alaska was struck by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake in March 1964, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America.

The earthquake devastated the city of Anchorage. A tsunami later struck, devastating the Gulf of Alaska, the US West Coast, and Hawaii.