Magnitude-7.1 quake jolts Alaska
January 25, 2016 07:35
A magnitude-7.1 earthquake has knocked items off shelves and walls in Alaska, jolting the nerves of residents in this earthquake-prone region. But there were no reports of injuries.
Alaska's state seismologist, Michael West, called it the strongest earthquake in the state's south-central region in decades.
Alaska often has larger or more powerful earthquakes, such as a 7.9 last year in the remote Aleutian Islands.
"However, last night's earthquake is significant because it was close enough to Alaska's population centers," West said, adding that aftershocks could continue for weeks.
The earthquake was widely felt by Anchorage residents. But the Anchorage and Valdez police departments said they hadn't received any reports of injuries or significant damage.
The earthquake struck at about 1:30 am Alaska time and was centered 53 miles (85 kilometers) west of Anchor Point in the Kenai Peninsula, which is about 160 miles (257 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, according to the US Geological Survey.
Picture for representation only/
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