6.7 Quake Shakes Kodiak and Beyond

The AP/Dave Bendinger-KDLG/ Jay Barrett-KMXT

A strong earthquake struck offshore of Kodiak Island late last night, but officials say there was no tsunami threat or immediate reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.7 quake struck at 11 p.m. Thursday and was centered in the ocean about 35 miles beneath the seabed and about 160 miles southwest of Kodiak City. 

Officials say the temblor was felt on the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island, Kenai Peninsula and even Anchorage.

The Kodiak Police dispatch office says the quake was felt at the station, but it received no reports of damage.

The National Tsunami Warning Center says there is no tsunami danger.

Alvin Peterson in Chignik Lagoon told KDLG radio in Dillingham it’s the strongest earthquake he’s felt in decades.

“Well, it was almost comparable to the ’64 earthquake. The house was rocking pretty good,” Peterson said. “Understand there was some rock slides and stuff falling off the shelves and breaking. Definitely rattled everybody’s nerves.”

The quake was initially reported as a 6.8 magnitude but was later downgraded slightly. Residents all around the region took to Facebook last night to discuss the earthquake and its effects. Many of those commenting said the earthquake’s unusually long duration was a bit shocking. Peterson says the same.

“Heard a couple reports, lasted almost a minute,” he said, “but it was pretty long, and pretty violent.”

Closer to the coast, residents in Chignik Bay headed for the tsunami shelter last night to be on the safe side. Fire chief Guy Ashby, speaking this morning, says the quake got a slow rolling start:

“It started off like maybe a three. Shook a little bit, and then you could start hear it building. And it start shaking a little harder, kept building,” Ashby said. “It probably shook, rough estimate, 35-, 40-forty seconds.”

The USGS says there have been numerous aftershocks of magnitude-3.0 or greater.