On July 16, 2025, a powerful magnitude‑7.3 earthquake struck approximately 54 miles south of Sand Point on Alaska’s southern peninsula
Tsunami alert & response
Tsunami warnings were issued along a 700‑mile stretch of coastal Alaska—from southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass—including communities like Kodiak, Unalaska, King Cove, and Sand Point.
Residents were urged to evacuate immediately to higher ground or shelters, and some tourist sites triggered evacuations (e.g., at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward)
Alerts downgraded
Within about an hour, the warning was downgraded to an advisory and then canceled by mid‑afternoon after only small water fluctuations—a rise of ~2.5 inches in Sand Point
Widespread assessments confirmed there was no tsunami threat to other Pacific areas, including the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, and California.
Damage & aftershocks
Luckily, no major damage or injuries were reported. Some local stores in Sand Point had broken bottles and spilled products, but critical infrastructure remained intact.
The area felt around 40 aftershocks in the three hours following the initial quake
Context & significance
The earthquake occurred in the ocean, about 600 miles south of Anchorage, at a depth of nearly 9 miles below the seabed.
This was the fifth major quake (≥ 7.0) in this region since 2020, highlighting ongoing tectonic activity.
Officials emphasized that while no significant tsunami occurred this time, such events remain a real risk for coastal Alaska.
Key takeaway:
A powerful offshore earthquake prompted urgent tsunami alerts and evacuations, but with little wave impact observed, authorities quickly lifted the warnings. The quake served as a reminder of Alaska’s seismic vulnerability and the importance of emergency preparedness.