Tsunami fears jolt Alaska, West Coast after quake

Fears that put authorities on edge along the entire West Coast dissipated Tuesday when a tsunami off Alaska failed to generate dangerous waves after a powerful earthquake.

The magnitude-7.9 earthquake, centered deep in the waters off the Gulf of Alaska about 175 miles southeast of Kodiak Island, rocked much of the state and triggered tsunami warnings and watches along the West Coast. Hours later, the National Tsunami Center canceled all warnings and watches, including those for Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii and British Columbia.

The initial warnings sent Alaskans along hundreds of miles of coastline scurrying to higher ground. Warnings from the National Weather Service sent to cellphones in Alaska soon after the quake read: “Emergency Alert. Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland.”

Authorities in Kodiak told people living under the 100-foot mark to move to higher ground. Kodiak resident Eric Cusson told the Anchorage Daily News that hundreds of cars drove up Pillar Mountain, the site of the town’s wind turbines.

“Pretty much everyone in town went up Pillar Mountain,” he said.

The quake struck at a depth of 6 miles at 12:31 a.m. local time (4:31 a.m. ET) Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. There were no immediate reports of damage. Social media users reported the quake was felt hundreds of miles away in Anchorage.

Hours later, the National Tsunami Center said the event was over.

“A tsunami was generated by this event, but no longer poses a threat,” the center said in a statement. “Some areas may continue to see small sea level changes.”