Alaska Earthquake Updates: Nerve-wracking Aftershocks

A major 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck Alaska which made people to run from their buildings.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was centered about seven miles (11km) north of Anchorage, the largest city in the state.

The USGS said that the initial shock had a depth of 40.9km, later, a series of aftershocks were recorded. Nearly, 300,000 people live in Anchorage with 100,000 in the surrounding area.

The USGS also said that the earthquake was reported at 08.29 local time (17.29 GMT). One of the more powerful aftershocks that followed minutes later had a magnitude of 5.7.

The Alaska Earthquake Center reported that officials have registered 40 aftershocks: 10 with magnitudes above 4.0 and three with magnitudes above 5.0, for now.

The centre tweeted “the aftershocks are nerve-wracking, but we want to stress that they are what we would expect for an earthquake like this”.

The quake was picked up by seismometers across the country in Boston which is thousands of miles away. A tsunami warning was also issued for the Cook Inlet and southern Kenai Peninsula regions were cancelled later.

President Trump tweeted, “To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a “big one.” Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!”

According to the USGS, an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 and higher can cause considerable damage in normal structures and can also destroy poorly constructed structures.

Officials are asking people to use social media and text messages to contact their loved ones as phone lines may not work.According to Police Chief Justin Doll, police and fire teams are coordinating with Alaska State Troopers and National Guard.

Nearly 10,000 residents are currently suffering without power and there are also reports of building and bridge collapses.Footage and images posted on social media showed that the products scattered across the floors of supermarkets with shelves collapsed and lighting damaged.

The roads break apart and other structures has been collapsed. Locals also have shared buildings which were on fire.Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski told reporters that damage in Anchorage could have effect on the whole state. She also said that she was worried about the situation.