**Breaking News: Historic Earthquake Shakes Southcentral Alaska; Tsunami Warning Issued for Coastal Communities**
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Southcentral Alaska at 12:31 PM local time today, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
**What happened?** A shallow, high-intensity seismic event was recorded approximately 95 kilometers southeast of the city of Chignik on the Alaska Peninsula.
**Where did it occur?** The epicenter was located in the North Pacific Ocean, triggering automatic seismographic alerts across the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and the Aleutian Islands.
**When did it happen?** The initial tremor was detected at 12:31:45 PM AKDT, with significant aftershocks ranging from 4.5 to 6.2 in magnitude following within the first 20 minutes.
**Who is affected?** The National Weather Service’s National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for coastal residents from Unimak Pass to Kennedy Entrance, affecting thousands of residents and maritime operations. Emergency sirens are being activated in Kodiak, Homer, and Seward.
**Why is this significant?** Geologists note this event occurred along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for seismic activity. Authorities are urging immediate evacuation of low-lying coastal areas as wave heights are projected to exceed three feet in some harbors.
Residents are directed to move to higher ground and await further announcements from local emergency management offices.