Washington. An earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of the US state of Alaska on Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake issued a tsunami warning but was later withdrawn.

The earthquake occurred at around 12:37 pm (20:37 GMT). Its center was about 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of the city of Sand Point Island. The epicenter of the earthquake is 12. It was at a depth of 5 miles.

Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for south Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula after the earthquake, but later reduced it to a tsunami advisory and then withdrew it completely.

“Tsunami warning for coastal areas of south Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula has been cancelled,” the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) said in a message released about two hours after the quake.

According to the USGS, a group of more than a dozen aftershocks occurred after the initial earthquake. The largest of these was a magnitude of 5.2.

The NTWC said tsunami warnings and advisories were issued only for areas off the coast of Alaska and more areas remained unaffected. A tsunami with a maximum height of zero.2 feet (6.1 cm) was observed at Sand Point.

Nevertheless, the NTWC has advised residents of the affected areas to be aware of the dangers. “Do not re-settle in danger zones unless local emergency authorities indicate they are safe,” the NTWC said.

Alaska is located along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. In March 1964, an earthquake of magnitude 9.2 occurred. It was the most powerful ever recorded in North America.

The quake triggered a tsunami and devastated the city of Anchorage and hit the Gulf of Alaska, the us west coast and Hawaii. The earthquake and tsunami killed many people and caused property losses of more than $400 million.

In July 2023, 7 in the Alaska Peninsula. There was an earthquake of magnitude 2. No major damage was reported after the quake.