Two strong earthquakes strike Alaska's Andreanof Islands region, no damage expected

[News_Editor]

Two strong earthquakes strike Alaska's Andreanof Islands region, no damage expected

2010-10-08 11:58:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

ADAK, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) -- Two strong earthquakes struck the Andreanof Islands region in Alaska on early Thursday evening, seismologists said, but there were no reports of damage or casualties.

The first earthquake, at 6.26 p.m. AKDT (0326 GMT), had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale and was centered approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) east-southeast of Adak, an island near the western extent of the Andreanof Islands group. It struck about 12.8 miles (20.6 kilometers) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Less than half an hour later, at 6.49 p.m. AKDT (0349 GMT), an aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east-southeast of Adak. That earthquake struck about 21.7 miles (35 kilometers) deep, according to the USGS.

The agency estimated that nearly 200 people may have perceived moderate earthquake shaking as a result of the first earthquake. "There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage," the USGS said.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said the earthquakes were not strong enough to generate a tsunami.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-08