A magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the remote waters south of Sand Point, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 12:37:41 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time, sending shockwaves across the entire Alaska Peninsula and triggering a tsunami warning that lasted less than two hours. The quake, recorded at a depth of 38.0 kilometers by the United States Geological Survey, was felt as far away as Anchorage and Juneau, where residents reported light shaking—but in coastal villages like Sand Point and Homer, it was anything but gentle. "Some serving trays and other things literally flew out of it," said local resident Kelly Bjornstad, describing the violent shaking that sent dishes tumbling from her pantry shelves. In Homer, witnesses described the motion as "mild rolling, with lamps and plants swaying," a deceptive calm before the alert sirens began to wail.
Tsunami Warning, Then a Whisper
The National Tsunami Warning Center, operated by the National Weather Service, moved with alarming speed. Within minutes of the quake, a tsunami warning blared across the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island—covering Sand Point, Kodiak, Homer, King Cove, and Unalaska. Evacuation sirens sounded in Cold Bay and Kodiak. People fled to higher ground. Cars lined the roads leading uphill. But the feared wall of water never came. About an hour later, the alert was downgraded to a tsunami advisory. By 2:43 p.m. AKDT, it was fully lifted. The only observable surge? A wave just a few inches high in Sand Point. "It was a scare, not a disaster," said one emergency responder on the scene. "We prepared for the worst. The ocean gave us the best-case scenario."
Aftershocks and the Lingering Threat
The Alaska Earthquake Center detected nearly 40 aftershocks within the first three hours. Two exceeded magnitude 5.0, with the largest hitting 5.2. The USGS issued a sobering forecast: "At least one magnitude 6 or greater is possible in the next week." That’s not a guarantee—but it’s a probability that keeps seismologists awake. The region, already battered by the M7.8 Simeonof Earthquake in July 2020, is now in the throes of a prolonged aftershock sequence. This latest tremor didn’t come out of nowhere—it was a continuation, a ripple in a chain that’s been rattling for years. The M7.0 earthquake on July 15, 2023, in nearly the same spot, was another link in that chain. "This section of the subduction zone is lurching or releasing that slip over a period of many years," an unnamed seismologist told Alaska Public. "We don’t know if this is the end of the cycle… or just the middle."
Why This Region Is a Seismic Hotspot
The Alaska–Aleutian Megathrust is one of the most active fault lines on Earth. Over the past five years, it has produced five earthquakes of magnitude 7 or greater. That’s more than any other region on the planet during the same period. The epicenter of this week’s quake sat roughly 52 miles south of Sand Point, 80 miles southeast of King Cove, and just off the coast of the Pavlof Volcano complex—a region where tectonic plates collide with terrifying force. The Pacific Plate dives beneath the North American Plate here, grinding and locking, then suddenly slipping. That’s how you get magnitude 7.3 quakes. And that’s why, despite the lack of major damage, experts are watching closely. "We’ve had five big ones in five years," said a Alaska Earthquake Center scientist in a press briefing. "That’s not normal. That’s a pattern. And patterns don’t just stop."
On the Ground: No Major Damage, But Lasting Anxiety
Remarkably, despite the violence of the shaking, the Alaska Earthquake Center reported no significant structural damage in the nearest communities. No collapsed buildings. No power outages beyond brief flickers. No injuries. But the psychological toll? That’s harder to measure. In Sand Point, residents are checking their emergency kits again. In Kodiak, school districts postponed outdoor activities. Local reporter Brian Venua of KMXT described families sitting on porches, listening for the next rumble. "People aren’t just scared of the quake," he said. "They’re scared of what comes after it."
What Comes Next?
Seismologists are now monitoring the area for signs of a larger event—perhaps a magnitude 6 or higher—within the next week, as predicted by the USGS. They’re also watching for changes in ground deformation, gas emissions from nearby volcanoes, and shifts in water levels in coastal wells. The Alaska Earthquake Center has increased its monitoring stations in the region and is urging residents to keep emergency supplies ready. "We’re not predicting the next big one," said Alaska Earthquake Center Director Dr. Lena Ruiz. "But we’re telling you: it’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the tsunami warning lifted so quickly?
The National Tsunami Warning Center lifted the warning after observing only a minor wave—just a few inches high—in Sand Point. Tsunami warnings are based on real-time data from buoys and tide gauges, and no significant water displacement was detected beyond the immediate coast. While the earthquake was powerful, its depth and location meant the seafloor displacement wasn’t large enough to generate a major tsunami. The downgrade to an advisory, then full lift, followed standard protocols based on observed data, not speculation.
Is this earthquake related to the 2020 Simeonof quake?
Yes, experts at the Alaska Earthquake Center confirm this quake occurred within the aftershock zone of the July 2020 M7.8 Simeonof earthquake. That event ruptured a massive segment of the subduction zone, and the region has been releasing accumulated stress through smaller quakes ever since. This 7.3 event is the strongest in that sequence so far, but it’s part of a multi-year adjustment process, not an isolated incident.
What’s the risk of another major earthquake soon?
The USGS estimates at least a 10% chance of another magnitude 6 or greater quake in the next week. While unlikely to be as large as the 2020 event, the region’s seismic activity has accelerated dramatically over the past five years, with five quakes above magnitude 7. That’s an unprecedented cluster. Residents are being advised to assume another significant tremor is possible and to keep emergency plans active.
Why didn’t this quake cause more damage?
The epicenter was offshore, about 52 miles from the nearest town, and the quake occurred at a moderate depth of 38 kilometers—both factors that reduced surface shaking. Additionally, the communities affected are built with earthquake-resistant standards common in Alaska, and population density is low. While items were thrown from shelves and windows rattled, structural integrity held. Had it struck closer to shore or at a shallower depth, the outcome could have been far more destructive.
Are volcanoes in the area at risk because of this quake?
There’s no immediate evidence linking the quake to volcanic activity. However, the epicenter lies near Pavlof Volcano and Emmons Lake, both of which are monitored for ground deformation and gas emissions. Seismologists are watching for any unusual tremors that might suggest magma movement, but so far, no changes beyond background noise have been detected. The two phenomena—earthquakes and eruptions—are related in subduction zones, but not directly triggered in this case.
How often do earthquakes like this happen in Alaska?
Alaska experiences more earthquakes than any other U.S. state, averaging about 20,000 annually. But magnitude 7+ events are rarer—typically one every 13 to 14 years statewide. What’s unusual here is the concentration: five such quakes in five years along a single stretch of the Aleutian Megathrust. That’s the highest frequency ever recorded in this region, suggesting the tectonic system is under unusual stress. Scientists are calling it a "seismic cluster," and it’s reshaping how emergency planners prepare for future events.
