Alaskans were jolted awake Sunday morning by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the Southcentral region at about 1:30 a.m. The quake, centered 50 miles east of Iliamna, hit about 160 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Initially reported as 6.8, the quake was upgraded to 7.1. The epicenter was at a depth of 65.2 miles, deep enough that the National Tsunami Warning Center stated that there was no danger of a tsunami.
Facebook exploded with posts from shaken residents throughout the area, with many stating that it was the longest and strongest earthquake they had ever felt. Social media users as far away as Fairbanks, Juneau and Kodiak reported that they felt the quake.
The Anchorage Fire Department was busy with gas leaks, broken water lines and alarm systems sounding, but the Anchorage Police Department reported no reports of major damage. Although there were no immediate reports of injuries, power outages were reported throughout the region, including some in Anchorage.
There was more extensive damage on the Kenai Peninsula. The quake hit about 54 miles west of Homer. In the Kasilof area, Kalifornsky Beach Road was closed due to a large crack. Kenai Fire Department officials were on scene at a reported “gas leak/explosion” at a home. One home was destroyed. All homes in one area of Kenai were evacuated due to “multiple gas line ruptures.”
Aftershocks continued to rattle the area throughout Sunday morning with magnitudes of 4.0 and 3.2.