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Alaska gets tsunami warning after powerful earthquake hits Alaska earthquake: Anchorage rocked by major earthquake
(35 minutes later)
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck Alaska, causing people to run from buildings and prompting a tsunami alert for coastal areas of the state.A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck Alaska, causing people to run from buildings and prompting a tsunami alert for coastal areas of the state.
The quake was centred about 7 miles (11km) north of Anchorage, the largest city in the state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).The quake was centred about 7 miles (11km) north of Anchorage, the largest city in the state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
A series of aftershocks were recorded following the initial shock, which had a depth of 40.9km, the USGS said.A series of aftershocks were recorded following the initial shock, which had a depth of 40.9km, the USGS said.
Around 300,000 people live in Anchorage with 100,000 in the surrounding area.Around 300,000 people live in Anchorage with 100,000 in the surrounding area.
The earthquake was reported at 08.29 local time (17.29 GMT), the USGS added. The earthquake was reported at 08.29 local time (17.29 GMT), the USGS added. One of the more powerful aftershocks that followed minutes later had a magnitude of 5.7.
The tsunami warning issued for the Cook Inlet and southern Kenai Peninsula regions has now been cancelled.The tsunami warning issued for the Cook Inlet and southern Kenai Peninsula regions has now been cancelled.
Alaska's Governor Bill Walker has issued a declaration of disaster.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the quake and is "monitoring damage reports".
An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 and higher can cause, at minimum, considerable damage in normal structures and can destroy poorly constructed structures, according to the USGS.
Officials are encouraging people to use social media and text messages to contact loved ones as phone lines may be overwhelmed.
Footage and images posted on social media showed products scattered across floors of supermarkets with shelves collapsed and lighting damaged.Footage and images posted on social media showed products scattered across floors of supermarkets with shelves collapsed and lighting damaged.
The quake has also caused roads to break apart and other structures to collapse. The quake has also caused roads to break apart and other structures to collapse. Locals have also shared images of buildings on fire in the aftermath.
Air and rail travel has been disrupted by the quake as well. One of the state's largest internal airline services has suspended operations until midday.
Local resident Travis Starling told the BBC there is currently no power or water and most radio stations are off air as aftershocks continue.Local resident Travis Starling told the BBC there is currently no power or water and most radio stations are off air as aftershocks continue.
Mr Starling said that at this time of year, the state sees only six hours of daylight - "We're fortunate on timing... this happened just at sunrise."Mr Starling said that at this time of year, the state sees only six hours of daylight - "We're fortunate on timing... this happened just at sunrise."
"The aftershocks of the one today have been worse than any earthquake I've ever been in before," he said."The aftershocks of the one today have been worse than any earthquake I've ever been in before," he said.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin tweeted that her home was damaged in the quake.Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin tweeted that her home was damaged in the quake.
The largest quake in US history occurred in Anchorage in 1964. The magnitude 9.2 quake was the second-largest ever measured, worldwide, and devastated the region.