A tsunami warning has been issued for parts of the Aleutian Islands after a strong earthquake struck Alaska on Monday afternoon.
The earthquake occurred at 12:38 p.m. and measured an 8.0 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake was centered about 13 miles southeast of Little Sitkin Island.
The tsunami warning was issued shortly after the earthquake was reported and within an hour of the quake, the National Tsunami Warning Center reported that a small tsunami of around 6 inches was recorded.
4.9 earthquake, Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Jun 24 15:40 at epicenter (52m ago, depth 58km). http://t.co/PdA0umLB50
— Earthquakes Tsunamis (@NewEarthquake) June 24, 2014
Although the tsunami warning has been issued, experts believe that the chances of a tsunami are small and if one does occur, it will not be very large or carry very high walls of water.
Officials at the center said that “it’s not looking like it’s a significant height in the wave.”
But Scott Langley, an electronics technician at the center, said “it doesn’t take a lot of height in waves to do damage.”
Authorities in Alaska are still out inspecting the damage done by the quake, but so far, no injuries have been reported.
Many of the areas that were likely to have suffered the most damage were also under a tsunami warning and could not yet be surveyed safely.
UPDATE: #Tsunami warning downgraded to an advisory in Alaska. ALL CLEAR for the West Coast of the Lower 48. http://t.co/hyf08z4KiU
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) June 23, 2014
Tsunamis can be deadly and dangerous, but warning systems allow people in tsunami risk zones time to get to higher ground before the tsunami hits. Some tsunamis can move extremely fast and hit within minutes of an earthquake.
Tsunami warning systems have saved millions of lives and are continuing to improve.
Were you surprised that the large earthquake that struck Alaska on Monday did not generate a large tsunami and how do you think tsunami warning systems can be improved?
Image via Wikimedia Commons