WATCH: Tsunami warning sirens sound in Alaska after magnitude 7.5 earthquake off coast – Oct 19, 2020
Officials say there is no tsunami threat to British Columbia after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake was detected off the coast of Alaska.
In a statement just before 7 p.m. ET, Emergency Management B.C. said there is “no threat” to the province.
The the United States Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred just before 5 p.m. ET on Monday, approximately 94 kilometres southeast of Sand Point.
The magnitude of the earthquake was upgraded from 7.4 to 7.5 just after 5:30 p.m. ET.
No tsunami threat to #BC https://t.co/Q1VkXtMJtS
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) October 19, 2020
The Alaska Earthquake Center said the quake was widely felt in communities along the southern coast, including Sand Point, Chignik, Unalaska and the Kenai Peninsula.
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The center said a magnitude 5.2 aftershock was reported 11 minutes later, centered roughly in the same area.
Another 5.9 magnitude aftershock was registered shortly after 6:20 p.m. ET around 136 kilometres southeast of Sand Point.
Latest aftershock- this one is a M5.9, occurred at 1:45 pm, 85 miles SE of Sand Point, AK. Please continue to fill out the DYFI reports. And stay safe! https://t.co/WNejnNXA0k
— Alaska Earthquake Center (@AKearthquake) October 19, 2020
A tsunami warning has been issued for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
“If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground,” the warning reads.
Mon Oct 19 21:33:22 UTC 2020 event picture pic.twitter.com/oV98aWzVFg
— NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) October 19, 2020
Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said a small tsunami appeared to have been generated after the earthquake.
“Information is still coming in, but some of the nearby buoys are reporting some tsunami activity,” he said.
–With files from The Associated Press
© 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
