A massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Alaska Friday morning prompting a tsunami warning for the state, which was later canceled.
According to CNN News, the earthquake struck around 8:30 am local time, approximately eight miles north of the state’s largest city, Anchorage.
The United States Geological Survey reports that the quake was “the result of normal faulting at a depth of about 40 km.”
The USGS also noted that earthquakes are common in this area of Alaska. According to the USGS website, “Earthquakes are common in this region. Over the past century, 14 other M 6+ earthquakes have occurred within 150 km of the November 30, 2018 event.”
Following the quake, videos began to surface showing students hiding under desks and inventory falling off of shelves in grocery stores, NBC reports.
The outlet also reported that Alaska’s governor Bill Walker has issued a major declaration of disaster after the quake and is communicating with the White House for relief.
The Anchorage Police Department released a statement following the quake noting that “There is major infrastructure damage across Anchorage.”
The statement continues, “Many homes and buildings are damaged. Many roads and bridges are closed. Stay off the roads if you don’t need to drive. Seek a safe shelter. Check on your surroundings and loved ones.”
At the Anchorage International Airport, all incoming planes have been diverted and flights have been canceled due to water main breaks and out of commission elevators and escalators. NBC reports that the airport does, however, have power and their backup generators are on standby.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders released a statement on Friday to assure Americans that President Donald Trump, who is currently in Argentina for the G-20 Summit, has been filled in on the earthquake and is closely watching damage reports as they come in.
Sanders said, “We are praying for the safety of all Alaskans.”
Alaskan native and former governor of the state Sarah Palin tweeted, “Our family is intact – house is not … I imagine that’s the case for many, many others. So thankful to be safe; praying for our state following the earthquake.”
🙏🏼 for Alaska. Our family is intact – house is not… I imagine that’s the case for many, many others. So thankful to be safe; praying for our state following the earthquake.
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) November 30, 2018
As of 2:30 EST, nearly 16,000 people are reported to be without power.
Photo courtesy: Paxson Woelber/Unsplash
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