Does the Earthquake in Alaska Have Tsunami Potential? Here's the Explanation

Liputan6.com, Jakarta A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 12:37 a.m. local time.

The epicenter was located approximately 87 kilometers south of Sand Point, Alaska, sparking concerns about a potential natural disaster.

This event was immediately followed by a tsunami warning for much of the Alaska Peninsula and Southern Alaska, indicating a potential threat of sea waves.

The earthquake, centered at a depth of approximately 20 kilometers, caused strong shaking that was felt across the region.

Although a tsunami warning was issued, it was later downgraded to an advisory and finally lifted entirely several hours later.

This occurred after no significant tsunami waves were detected, alleviating initial concerns.

To date, there have been no reports of significant damage or casualties resulting from this earthquake.

The strong tremors of the earthquake were felt as far away as Anchorage, as well as parts of Canada and the western United States, and even Japan.

Several aftershocks were recorded after the mainshock, with one reaching magnitude 5.2, indicating ongoing seismic activity in the region.

This 7.3 magnitude earthquake was centered in a strategic location close to the Alaskan coast.

The earthquake's relatively shallow depth of approximately 20 kilometers contributed to the intensity of the shaking felt at the surface.

This caused residents in the affected area to feel quite strong tremors, prompting a rapid response from authorities.

Shortly after the earthquake, the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) immediately issued a tsunami warning.

This warning covered a wide coastal area, from the Alaska Peninsula to South Alaska, as a precaution against potential large waves.

The early warning system effectively disseminated this information to the public.However, data from tsunami buoys and tide gauges indicated that no significant waves were forming.

Based on this monitoring, the tsunami warning was gradually downgraded to an advisory and ultimately lifted completely.

This decision was made after it was confirmed that the tsunami threat had passed and the situation was safe.

Despite the earthquake's significant magnitude, its impact was relatively minimal due to the epicenter's location at sea and its relatively shallow depth.

Furthermore, an effective early warning system played a role in mitigating the impact.

As of the time of writing, no major infrastructure damage or casualties have been reported, demonstrating the resilience of the region.

Alaska has a long and complex history of seismic activity, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a major subduction zone, explains the high frequency of earthquakes there.

The continuous movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface causes the accumulation of energy that is released in earthquakes.

One of the most devastating events ever recorded in North America occurred in Alaska on March 27, 1964.

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.2 Mw, making it the second-largest earthquake ever recorded globally.

The earthquake lasted for approximately four and a half minutes, an unusually long duration, and caused extensive damage to numerous cities.

The 1964 earthquake caused massive damage to Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, with numerous buildings collapsing and infrastructure destroyed.

Furthermore, the earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami, with waves reaching heights of up to 67 meters in some locations across Alaska.

This disaster killed 131 people and caused over $400 million in property damage at the time, demonstrating its tremendous impact.

The 1964 megathrust earthquake served as a reminder of the region's incredible natural power.

The quake was caused by a shift in tectonic plates in the Alaskan subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate slides beneath the North American Plate.

Studying this earthquake has provided important insights into plate dynamics and seismic risk in the region.

Alaska's strategic geographic location on the Pacific Ring of Fire is a major factor in its high earthquake frequency.

The Ring of Fire is a belt across the Pacific Ocean marked by numerous volcanoes and ocean trenches, as well as intense seismic activity.

The movement of tectonic plates along this boundary causes most of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The Alaska earthquake of July 16, 2025, is categorized as a shallow earthquake.

Shallow earthquakes, those occurring at depths less than 70 kilometers, tend to cause stronger shaking at the surface than deeper earthquakes of the same magnitude.

This explains why the shaking was felt so strongly at Sand Point and the surrounding area.

Despite the earthquake's large magnitude, its impact was relatively minimal due to a combination of factors.

The epicenter's location at sea and relatively shallow depth, along with an effective early warning system, played a crucial role.

The presence of a sophisticated tsunami warning system in the United States enabled the rapid dissemination of information to residents in potentially affected areas.

The tsunami warning system in the United States has proven effective in providing early warning to residents in potentially affected areas.

The ability to monitor seismic activity and ocean waves in real time allows authorities to make quick decisions about evacuations or lifting warnings.

This minimizes panic and risks to life.