• A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Sand Point, Alaska, triggering a tsunami warning.
• The earthquake occurred about 54 miles south of Sand Point at 12:37 PM local time.
• A tsunami warning covered much of the Alaska Peninsula and is in effect for southern Alaska.
• The warning was later downgraded to an advisory, with no significant wave activity detected.
• Evacuation orders were issued for residents in the warning zones.

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Sand Point, Alaska, at approximately 12:37 p.m. local time, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a tsunami warning for southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula. This seismic event occurred about 54 miles south of Sand Point, with a shallow depth of approximately 20 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (Newsweek, ABC News, and CBS News).

In response to the tsunami warning, residents in the designated areas were advised to evacuate to higher ground or move to upper floors of multi-story buildings, as identified by the National Weather Service. The affected areas extend from the Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass and include cities such as Cold Bay and Sand Point, as reported by NOAA (India Times and India Times).

Despite the initial tsunami warning, later assessments confirmed no major wave formations following the earthquake, leading to the warning being downgraded to an advisory. Dave Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator, indicated that any tsunami impact would be limited, stating, "We're not expecting to see a large inundation of water coming up on shore," further emphasizing the localized nature of the potential threat (CBS News).

This recent seismic event is part of a broader pattern of geological activity and concerns regarding Alaska's vulnerability to megatsunamis, especially given the region's history with significant tremors, such as the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and the infamous 1958 Lituya Bay megatsunami. These historical contexts underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and community preparedness in the face of such natural disasters (ABC News and India Times).