Watch: 8.2-magnitude earthquake off Alaska, tsunami warning issued
Earthquake off Alaska, tsunami warning issued
The earthquake occurred southeast of Chiniak in Alaska
An earthquake of magnitude 8.2 hit 256 km southeast of Chiniak, Alaska at a depth of 10 km on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said.
The quake prompted a tsunami warning for parts of Alaska and Canada and a tsunami watch for the entire USwest coast, the USTsunami Warning System said.
"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," Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said in a warning for Alaska and British Columbia.
Tsunami warnings for parts of Alaska and Canada and a tsunami watch for the entire U.S. west coast and Hawaii were issued.
"Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
Japan's meteorological agency said it was monitoring the situation but did not issue a tsunami alert.