Tsunami warning issued after magnitude 8.2 Alaska earthquake

A tsunami warning has been issued after a powerful earthquake off the coast of Alaska.

The magnitude 8.2 quake struck 157 miles south-east of Chiniak, Alaska, at a depth of 6.2 miles.

It prompted a tsunami warning for the entire coast of British Columbia in Canada and a tsunami watch for the whole of the US west coast, the US Tsunami Warning System said.

The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management in Alaska said: “If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground.

“Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is possible or is already occurring.

“Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest.”