MAGNITUDE 7.0 EARTHQUAKE CAUSES WIDESPREAD DAMAGE IN ALASKA

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake impacted Alaska’s most populated city, Anchorage, on Friday, with more than 1,000 aftershocks taking place over the weekend. Reports are still emerging as to the extent of damage from the event as aftershocks continue, but preliminary reports indicate there has been damage to buildings and infrastructure. No deaths were reported but numerous people have suffered lacerations from broken glass. The quake ruptured more than 20 water mains, flooding numerous homes, while power outages were widespread. The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula when the quake struck but cancelled it within 90 minutes. The Anchorage metropolitan area has a population in excess of 400,000, more than half the total population of Alaska.