A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sand Point, Alaska, on July 16, 2025, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuations along a 700-mile stretch of the southern coast.

Tsunami advisories were issued by the U.S. Tsunami Center, leading local officials in communities like King Cove to urge residents to move to higher ground, with evacuations also affecting Cold Bay and Kodiak.

The tsunami threat was confirmed to be minimal, with water level rises in Sand Point only reaching about 2.5 inches, and no significant damage or injuries reported in the affected areas.

Despite the earthquake's strength, damage was minor, including some broken bottles at a local store, and no injuries occurred, demonstrating effective emergency preparedness.

Alaska’s emergency response systems worked efficiently, with no injuries reported and residents safely returning home once officials declared the danger had passed by Wednesday afternoon.

The USGS assessed the risk as low, noting most residents live in earthquake-resistant structures, though some older buildings remain vulnerable.

The earthquake was felt across the Alaska Peninsula and southern Alaska, with at least 20 aftershocks, including five above magnitude 4, and multiple minor sea level changes observed.

The National Weather Service reported ongoing aftershocks and confirmed there was no tsunami threat to other U.S. and Canadian coastlines, including Washington, Oregon, and California.

Security camera footage from Sand Point captured the earthquake’s intensity and quickly went viral on social media, illustrating the ground movement.

Local officials, including Kodiak’s police department, activated sirens and opened emergency shelters in schools for residents needing evacuation or refuge.

Online images from Raspberry Island showed a minor drop in water levels, with the highest recorded at only 2.5 inches above tide, indicating a minimal tsunami threat.

Historically, Alaska experiences frequent seismic activity, with four out of five U.S. earthquakes occurring there, including a similar magnitude quake in 2023 that caused no casualties.