An earthquake registering nearly 8.2 has struck near the coast of Alaska, USA. The quake lasted for longer than a minute and shook buildings well over a hundred miles away in cities in Alaska such as Anchorage
The US Government has sent out emergency text messages warning against the possibility of a Tsunami.
The warning has been issued by the US National Tsunami Warning Center and the alert is in effect across parts of Canada including British Columbia as well as Alaska.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 10km this morning at just after 09:30. It is reported as being around 300km south of the Alaskan city of Kodiak.
People within the area covered by the warning are told to stay away from the coastline as Tsunamis can travel at over 100 miles per hour. If you are close enough to see it, you are unlikely to have time to escape.
"...A TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT WHICH INCLUDES THE COASTAL AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA FROM THE WASH./BC BORDER TO ATTU ALASKA...
"If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground. Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is possible or is already occurring.
"Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest.
"At 1232 AM Alaska Standard Time on January 23 an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.0 ccurred 175 miles southeast of Kodiak City Alaska.
"Estimated tsunami start times for selected sites are;
"Kodiak Alaska 145 AM. AKST. January 23
"Seward Alaska 155 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Elfin Cove Alaska 155 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Sitka Alaska 200 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Yakutat Alaska 205 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Langara British Columbia 210 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Valdez Alaska 215 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Sand Point Alaska 220 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Cordova Alaska 225 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Unalaska Alaska 240 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Homer Alaska 255 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Craig Alaska 300 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Cold Bay Alaska 300 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Adak Alaska 305 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Tofino British Columbia 340 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Shemya Alaska 350 AM. AKST. January 23.
"Saint Paul Alaska 400 AM. AKST. January 23.
"The tsunami warning will remain in effect until further notice. Refer to the internet site tsunami.gov for more information."
More information will be posted here as the story unfolds.
Featured Image Credit: US Tsunami Warning System / PATopics: World News, Earthquake