Alaska’s tourism infrastructure was unaffected by the recent earthquake, and communities within the affected area are operating normally, Alaska Travel Industry Association President and CEO Sarah Leonard tells Travel Agent. The 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck late Tuesday evening just south of Kodiak Island.
“Kodiak itself had no damage to its hospitality infrastructure and those who are planning to visit the community have no need to cancel their trip plans,” Leonard said. “Other coastal communities in Alaska within the earthquake’s zone are also unaffected and are operating as normal, as is the rest of the state.”
The earthquake was centered southeast of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, a geologically active area that has seen approximately 11 other earthquakes over 7 in magnitude on the Richter scale over the past century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
According to the National Tsunami Warning Center, the earthquake generated a small tsunami ranging from 0.4 ft to 0.7 ft in maximum height in Kodiak, Seward, Old Harbor, Sitka, and Yakutat, Alaska, as well as Langara, British Columbia.
Residents of Kodiak’s low-lying areas were evacuated, and at 4:13 a.m. residents received the all clear from the Tsunami Warning Center, according to Kodiak Mayor Pat Branson and City Manager Mike Tvenge. All residents were safe, Discover Kodiak Island, the destination’s marketing organization, reported on their official Facebook page.
Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska is known for its hiking and outdoor recreation activities, as well as the largest brown bears in the world.
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