No Injuries From Magnitude-6.8 Earthquake In Alaska

Earthquakes are not atypical of the region, according to geologists. No extensive damage to person and / or property was reported.

Meanwhile, 30 homes in Kenai had to be evacuated due to a gas leak in the community. As a precautionary measure, the entire neighborhood was immediately evacuated.

The U.S. Geological Survey, updating its earlier location for the quake, said it struck at 1030 GMT and was centered about 80 km (51 miles) east of Old Iliamna. Early reports by the U.S. Geological Survey put the strength of the natural disaster at 7.1M, but then quickly downgraded it to 6.8M. The Southern part of Alaska is very well instrumented since this kind of earthquakes are usually expected here.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker said in a statement Sunday that he was relieved there wasn’t more damage.

The recent Alaska quake was important in the sense that it was close to the settled population within the state. Aftershocks continue throughout Sunday and may persist for weeks. The most powerful aftershock was felt on Sunday. The largest was a magnitude 4.3 at 12:37 UTC (3:37 am local).

Despite the number of smaller earthquakes that have been reported throughout the Pacific Northwest, including a 4.5-magnitude quake near Vancouver Island on January 19, the seismologist described it as normal activity. The Homer Electric Association said that approximately 4,800 customers in the Kenai Peninsula had no power supply on Sunday morning.

Police initially responded to another house and put out a fire there with an extinguisher. But flames started coming under a wall, and the officer backed off to let firefighters finish the work, Sandahl said.

One of the people who lost everything after the quake is Vinnie Calderon.

Sandahl says all firefighters and utility workers were accounted for, and there’s been no reports of injury. The gas issue was still being resolved. Kenai-area stores are also donating goods to help those taking shelter at the armory while The Red Cross is at the shelter assisting evacuees. The earthquakes were felt in Achorage too.

Bruce Shelley with ASD maintenance said 12 teams of two to three people are combing the district looking for any structural damage.