Alaska Hit by 8.2 Earthquake, Pacific Tsunami Alerts in Effect

A quiet evening along Alaska’s rugged coast erupted into chaos Wednesday night as a powerful earthquake struck the Alaskan Peninsula, shaking the ground hundreds of miles away.

Late Wednesday, an 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit near Perryville, Alaska, at a depth of 35 kilometers beneath the ocean floor. The quake, one of the strongest ever recorded in the U.S., immediately set off tsunami sirens, sending coastal residents fleeing to higher ground.

Sirens Wail, Residents Evacuate

Towns including Kodiak and Sand Point were jolted awake as emergency sirens blared. Social media filled with images of families rushing uphill, crowded gas stations, and first responders coordinating along the roads.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for southern Alaska from Hinchinbrook Entrance to Unimak Pass, urging all low-lying residents to move immediately. Hawaii and Guam were briefly monitored but later deemed safe from a significant tsunami threat.

Aftershocks Keep the Region on Edge

The quake was far from over. At least eight aftershocks, including two above magnitude 6.0, rattled the area in the hours that followed. While no major injuries or damages have been reported so far, emergency teams stayed on high alert.

Governor Mike Dunleavy confirmed that Alaska’s emergency operations center was fully activated, working with FEMA, local first responders, and geologists to assess the evolving situation.

Meanwhile, tsunami monitoring agencies in Japan, New Zealand, and Chile began reviewing the quake’s potential impact on Pacific waters, ensuring no delayed waves would threaten distant shores.

A Stark Reminder of the Ring of Fire

While Alaska narrowly avoided a catastrophic tsunami this time, the earthquake underscores the volatility of the Ring of Fire. Experts warn that the region remains at risk for delayed aftershocks, landslides, and potential future tsunamis.