Earthquake in Alaska [TKB-World]

An 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck Alaska on Thursday. A tsunami alert was issued to the Hawaiian Islands of America. It is being investigated whether tsunami waves can reach Japan. Because Alaska has a history of major earthquakes. In the last 75 years i.e. from 1965 till now, there have been four catastrophic earthquakes of magnitude above 8 on the Richter scale. Which is recorded in the list of most terrible earthquakes in history.

The US Geological Survey said the 8.2-magnitude quake had its epicenter 91 kilometers east-southeast of Perryville, Alaska. Its depth was 46 km below the sea surface. Just before this there were two earthquakes at the same place at a gap of half an hour. Their intensity was 6.2 and 5.6. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami wave warning. Due to which there is a possibility of America going to Guam and American Samoa.

The worst earthquake in Alaska occurred on 4 February 1965. This earthquake occurred near the Aleutian Islands and the Rat Islands. Its magnitude was 8.7 on the Richter scale. Its depth was 30.3 km. The waves of the tsunami at that time were about 10.7 meters high. Earlier on March 9, 1957, an earthquake of magnitude 8.6 occurred in the Aleutian Islands and Adrian of Islands in Alaska.

The earthquake of 1957 had caused 4.5 meters deep cracks on the roads. The 15-metre-high tsunami ravaged Umanak Island, Adak Island, San Diego Bay, Chile, El Salvador and Japan. Mount Sevidof volcano, which had been dormant for 200 years, erupted. Two villages on the Hawaiian Islands were completely destroyed. After this, 300 tremors were felt for the next 24 hours.

Earlier on April 1, 1946, an earthquake of magnitude 8.6 occurred on Unimak Island, located in the southern region of Alaska. Due to the tsunami caused by this earthquake, the light house on Unimak Island was broken. Five people were swept away with him. The tsunami that broke the light house was 35 meters high. Because of this, 159 people lost their lives on the Hawaiian Islands. Terrible devastation was seen on the western coasts of North and South America.

After the earthquake of 8.2 magnitude, there were about 24 aftershocks in Alaska. which were felt throughout the peninsula. Alaska has a long and frightening history of earthquakes. According to The Alaska Earthquake Center, 49 thousand earthquakes were felt in Alaska last year i.e. 2020.

NTWC Tsunami Warning Coordinator Dave Snyder said there was minor damage in parts of Alaska. But there is nothing to worry about. No major tsunami or major damage has been reported anywhere. Because the depth of this earthquake was very high, so the possibility of major damage is less. However, an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 can create large tsunami waves in any corner of the world. Especially in Alaska.

This earthquake was caused by the shaking of tectonic plates located under the sea from Hinchinbrook Entrance to Unimak Pass and from Unimak Pass to Samalga Pass. So far scientists have not been able to find out that the plates have climbed on each other. Or was it just a clash. Because if the plate climbed, there would be terrible tsunami waves. But it has not been confirmed.