Very strong M7.3 earthquake hits Alaska Peninsula, Tsunami Warning issued
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 hit Alaska Peninsula at 20:37 UTC (12:37 local time) on July 16, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M7.3 earthquake Alaska on July 16, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 87 km (54 miles) S of Sand Point (population 1 064), 965 km (600 miles) SW of Anchorage (population 291 247), and 985 km (613 miles) SW of Eagle River, Alaska.
1 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking.
A Tsunami Warning was issued for the Pacific coasts of South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, from Kennedy Entrance (approximately 64 km / 40 miles southwest of Homer) to Unimak Pass (approximately 130 km / 80 miles northeast of Unalaska).
Tsunami activity was expected to begin at:
- Sand Point – 13:30 AKDT (21:30 UTC)
- Cold Bay – 14:25 AKDT (22:25 UTC)
- Kodiak – 14:40 AKDT (22:40 UTC)
The NWS National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) downgraded Tsunami Warning to Advisory at 13:44 AKDT.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M7.3 earthquake Alaska – USGS – July 16, 2025
2 M7.3 earthquake Alaska – EMSC – July 16, 2025
3 M7.3 earthquake Alaska – NWS/NTWC – July 16, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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