A magnitude 7.3 earthquake occured today about 54miles from Sand Point, Alaska…
The Event — July 16, 2025
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A magnitude 7.3 M_w quake occurred at 12:37 PM AKDT, located roughly 55 miles (≈87 km) south of Sand Point at a shallow depth of ~20 km.
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The USGS, Alaska Earthquake Center, and NOAA all confirmed the quake triggered an immediate tsunami warning for Alaska’s southern peninsula, spanning about 700 miles—from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pas.
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Within about an hour, the warning was downgraded to an advisory, and eventually cancelled after no destructive tsunami materialized.
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The largest wave recorded at Sand Point was only ~0.2 ft (3–4 in)—not significantly impactful.
Impacts & Aftershocks
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Although strong shaking was felt across the peninsula—including at Sand Point and Kodiak—no major damage or casualties have been reported.
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Many aftershocks followed: nearly 40 in the first 3 hours, with the largest around M 5.2.
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The quake is part of a cluster of seismic activity in the Alaska Peninsula region—this is the fifth M≥7 quake there since 2020.
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Scientists caution that there’s an ≈11% chance of a M6–6.9 aftershock in the next week—and numerous smaller ones likely.
⚠️ Safety Note
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Residents in coastal areas were prompted to evacuate to higher ground, but with the warning downgraded swiftly, the immediate risk has passed.
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No tsunami threat to California or Hawaii was detected .
Key Facts Table
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | July 16 2025, 12:37 PM AKDT |
| Location | ~55 miles (87 km) south of Sand Point |
| Magnitude & Depth | 7.3 M_w; ~20 km deep |
| Tsunami Max Wave | ~0.2 ft at Sand Point |
| Damage Report | No significant damage or injuries |
| Aftershocks | ~40 in first 3 hrs, including a M 5.2 |
| Seismic Context | 5th M≥7 in region since 2020 |
| Ongoing Risk | Small chance of M6+ near aftershock |
✅ What This Means
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This was a major quake, but fortunately no destructive tsunami occurred, and damage remained minimal.
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The shallow depth led to notable shaking but no reported structural collapses or casualties.
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Expect aftershocks, some potentially as strong as magnitude 6.
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This quake is part of ongoing seismic unrest in southern Alaska—a region that regularly experiences large quakes.
Would you like me to pull in USGS or Alaska Earthquake Center data maps, or insights on how to stay prepared for aftershocks and coastal advisories?
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