A tsunami alert has been issued for the US West Coast after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake hit the Gulf of Alaska in the early hours of Tuesday.

People in the area have been warned to move away from the coast after the quake hit 256km southeast of Chiniak, Alaska at a depth of 10km at 9.31am (GMT), the US Geological Survey said.

“If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground. Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is possible or is already occurring,” Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said in a warning for Alaska and British Columbia.

Tsunami warnings for parts of Alaska and Canada and a tsunami watch for the entire US west coast and Hawaii were issued, Reuters reports.

A graphic tweeted by NWS Tsunami Alerts shows the tsunami travel time contours, beginning from the earthquake origin time.

The graphic shows that within three hours of the earthquake, the effects will be felt further down the US West Coast.

“Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
If you are in a #tsunami warning area, move out of the water, off the beach & away from harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays & inlets. Follow instructions from your local emergency officials because they may have more detailed or specific information for your location.

January 23, 2018
Japan’s meteorological agency said it was monitoring the situation but did not issue a tsunami alert