Gulf of Alaska calm after powerful offshore quake

Emergency officials in Alaska are praising coastal residents’ calm response to an overnight tsunami warning triggered by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. The temblor struck just after midnight about 170 miles southeast of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska. Residents in Seward, a popular stop for cruise ships, lined up in the dark to drive along the only road out of town. Fire chief Eddie Athey called it “a controlled evacuation.” The earthquake lasted for about 90 seconds, but Athey described the motion as gentle, “like the washer was off balance.” Officials have reported no damage or injuries from the temblor. When no waves appeared near shore, the National Tsunami Center canceled warnings and watches for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, and British Columbia in Canada.