A major 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Alaska, triggering a tsunami alert for thousands of residents.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a quake occurred at about 12:38 PM local time (4:30 PM ET). The epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, south of the Alaska Peninsula and near the Shumagin Islands, southeast of Sand Point.

The tsunami advisory affects coastal regions of southwestern Alaska and includes areas from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass near Unalaska.

There are potential impacts on Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula, and parts of the eastern Aleutian Islands. 

While sparse, this region is home to an thousands of people who were alert through the sound of blaring sirens and text message notifications.

‘If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground,’ the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC)said in the alert. 

A ‘tsunami warning’ indicates the possibility or occurrence of a tsunami that could cause significant flooding. Tsunamis are comprised of multiple waves, which can pose a danger for many hours. The initial wave is not always the biggest.

Additionally, two smaller earthquakes were recorded shortly after: a magnitude 4.4 quake about an hour later near the initial epicenter, and a magnitude 4.0 near Halibut Cove, a community of roughly 200 residents. 

The tsunami could hit coastal areas of southwestern Alaska, including communities from Kennedy Entrance near Homer to Unimak Pass near Unalaska, with potential impact on Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula and parts of the eastern Aleutian Islands

The US Tsunami Center said the warning was in effect from about 40 miles southwest of Homer (pictured) to Unimak Pass, a distance of about 700 miles. 

The National Weather Service (NWS)issued a statement, saying there is no threat to Oregon, Washington or other US states.

However, the NWS is urging Alaskans to move out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays and inlets.

‘If you feel a strong earthquake or extended ground rolling take immediate protective actions such as moving inland and/or uphill preferably by foot,’ the agency added.

The US Tsunami Center said the warning was in effect from about 40 miles southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass, a distance of about 700 miles. 

Kodiak, with a population of 5,200, is one of the larger communities in the area.

Officials in the community of King Cove, which has about 870 residents and is on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula, sent an alert calling on those in the coastal area to move to higher ground.

The USGS earthquake tracker shows an explosion of aftershocks around the epicenter, ranging from magnitude 4.1 to 2.7.

The initial alert featured a tsunami warning, but the threat was downgraded to an advisory about one and a half hours after the quake hit.

The last time Alaska experienced a quake of this magnitude was in 1996, when a 7.2 hit on June 10, 1996, centered in the Andreanof Islands of the Aleutian chain.

A major 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Alaska , triggering a tsunami alert for thousands of residents. Pictured is Sand Point, which is under the alert

The strongest earthquake to ever hit Alaska, and also the strongest in US history, was the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 9.2.

This massive earthquake occurred near Prince William Sound and was felt as far away as Seattle.

The event also triggered devastating tsunamis, causing damage to coastal areas in Alaska, Oregon, California, Hawaii and even Japan.