M5.3 earthquake strikes near Cordova; no tsunami threat

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck 24 miles south-southwest of Cordova on Monday evening, shaking communities across the region. The National Tsunami Warning Center posted a tsunami information statement indicating no tsunami was expected from the event.

The Alaska Earthquake Center confirmed the magnitude and placed the quake at 7:32 PM Alaska time, 9 miles deep. "This earthquake was reported felt in nearby communities," the center said. The PAGER alert level was rated GREEN, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or significant damage. Preliminary automated alerts from multiple monitoring services listed magnitudes ranging from 5.1 to 5.4 before the Alaska Earthquake Center issued its reviewed figure of 5.3.

Cordova-area residents and commercial fishers working the Gulf of Alaska can check earthquake.alaska.edu for an interactive earthquake map, a latest earthquakes list, safety tips, and a tsunami hazard map tool.

The Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, which advises the governor and the Alaska State Legislature on reducing the state's vulnerability to earthquakes under Alaska statute, has called for stronger mitigation and preparedness measures. The commission has noted that south-central Alaska is one of the most seismically active regions on the planet. It administers its work through the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.