Moderate aftershock of magnitude 7.8 quake off Alaska felt

JUNEAU, Alaska – A moderate earthquake, an aftershock of last week’s magnitude 7.8 quake off the Alaska Peninsula, occurred in the same region Monday, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.

The centre said Monday’s quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 and was located at a depth of about 18 miles (29 km). It was centred about 80 miles (129 km) from King Cove, where it was lightly felt, the centre said. The King Cove Department of Public Safety sent a notice to residents stating that continued aftershocks were expected.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake last Tuesday was centred in waters 65 miles (105 kilometres) south-southeast of the tiny community of Perryville, at a depth of 17 miles (28 km), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It generated tsunami warnings that were cancelled after the earthquake created a wave of a less than a foot (30 centimetres).