A Huge Earthquake Hit Alaska And The Pictures Are Truly Horrifying

A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 has hit the town of Anchorage in Alaska, tearing through roads and damaging buildings as it leaves a path of destruction.

Shocking photographs and videos have been shared on social media, showing the devastation that is being wrought after the quake hit the area, with people being evacuated.

With the initial shockwave happening just hours ago, the true extent of the destruction is not known and it's not clear yet whether there have been any casualties in the incident.

However, according to local and national reports in the United States, roads have been torn apart, while airports and schools have been evacuated, with children being told to go home and planes ordered to find somewhere safer to land.

The initial quake occurred just seven miles to the north of Anchorage, which with around 300,000 residents is the largest city ion the state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Following the first tremor - which had a depth of 40.9km - a series of aftershocks were felt, with the most powerful reaching a magnitude of 5.7.

According to the USGS, the earthquake was first reported at 08.29 local time (17.29 GMT).

However, despite the severity of the shock, a tsunami warning that was issued for the Cook Inlet and southern Kenai Peninsula regions has now been cancelled by officials.

Alaska's Governor Bill Walker has issued a declaration of disaster.

In a series of tweets, Mr Walker said: "After a major earthquake, I have issued a declaration of disaster & I have been in direct contact with the White House. Major General Laurie Hummel & I are now working w emergency responders to make sure Alaskans are safe.

"From the incident command center established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings. My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska."

Residents affected by the natural disaster have been sharing photographs and videos of the aftermath.

Alyson Petrie shared a short clip of her trying to protect herself while the building she was in shook around her.

She wrote: "Earthquake just happened right now i 'm actually shaking."

Resident Travis Starling told the BBC there is no power or water and most radio stations are off air.

He said: "We're fortunate on timing... this happened just at sunrise."

"The aftershocks of the one today have been worse than any earthquake I've ever been in before,"

Topics: US News, international news

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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