Alaska earthquake: Trump calls 7.0 magnitude quake to hit near Anchorage a 'big one'

Tsunami warning issued in wake of tremor but later lifted

Employees of Nesbett Courthouse take shelter during Anchorage earthquake in Alaska

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck near the city of Anchorage in Alaska, causing major damage to a number of roads and buildings.

A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the state but officials later cancelled it, as residents began posting videos of ceiling tiles falling and furniture rumbling in the quake.

Former governor Sarah Palin was among those who say their homes have been damaged, but she tweeted that her family was safe in spite of the damage to her home.

Scientists say that this particular earthquake was caused by two tectonic plates moving apart, and images of roadways show areas where roads simply collapsed in place as if the ground had been moved out from underneath.

No deaths were reported from the earthquake, but President Donald Trump did weigh in to say that the state has the full support of the American government for any recovery needs.

"To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a 'big one'", Mr Trump tweeted from Argentina, where he is attending the G20 summit. "Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL"!

Mr Trump stopped short of issuing a disaster declaration for the state, but Alaska Governor Bill Walker said that he is in contact with the White House for recovery as things proceed.

"From the incident command centre established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings," Mr Walker wrote on Facebook announcing a state disaster declaration. "My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska".

Read along for live updates as they happened on Friday

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Key Points

• Donald Trump says that Alaska has been hit by a 'big one'
• A number of major roads crack down middle during tremor\
• Alaska's governor issues a disaster declaration
• City of Anchorage sustains extensive damage 

[30 November 2018 20:04 · Chris Stevenson]

President Trump has been briefed on the Alaska earthquake and is monitoring damage reports, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said on Twitter

"We are praying for the safety of all Alaskans!" she added.

 

[30 November 2018 20:11 · Chris Stevenson]

Alaska Governor Bill Walker has issued a declaration of disaster after Friday morning’s earthquake, according to a post on his Facebook page.

It seems it will be making use of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson mentioned earlier.

"From the incident command center established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings," he wrote.

"My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska."

[30 November 2018 20:18 · Chris Stevenson]

Two of Anchorage's main hospitals sustained damage following the earthquake near the city.

Kjerstin Lastufka, a spokeswoman at Alaska Regional hospital, said the hospital is assessing the main building and offices on campus. “We’re seeing some cracks in the walls and some cracks in the floors, and a little bit of water leaks.” 

The hospital emergency room is open, but all elective surgeries and appointments have been cancelled. 

Providence Alaska Medical Center also announced that though there was some building damage, their Accident and Emergency department remains open. 

[30 November 2018 20:25 · Chris Stevenson]

Donald Trump has told Alaskans to follow the advice of local officials - having been hit by what he called a "big one".

 

[30 November 2018 20:27 · Chris Stevenson]

Earthquakes are common in this region, says the United States Geological Survey. Over the past century, 14 other earthquakes of 6.0 magnitude and above have occurred within 150 km (93.2 miles) of the earthquake that hit this morning near Anchorage.

Two such earthquakes -- a 6.6 magnitude quake in July 1983 and a 6.4 magnitude quake in September 1983 -- seem similar to today's earthquake.

[30 November 2018 20:33 · Chris Stevenson]

The operators of the 800-mile (1,290-kilometre) trans-Alaska oil pipeline have said they have shut the system down as a precaution following the earthquake in southcentral Alaska. 

It will re-open after an assessment.

[30 November 2018 20:39 · Chris Stevenson]

Alaska averages 40,000 earthquakes per year, with more large quakes than the other 49 states combined.  

Southern Alaska has a high risk of earthquakes due to tectonic plates sliding past each other under the region. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Pacific plate is sliding northwestward and plunges beneath the North American plate in southern Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. 

[30 November 2018 20:46 · Chris Stevenson]

Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll says he is unaware of reports of deaths or serious injuries following the earthquake that rocked the state's largest city.  

Mr Doll made the statement to reporters Tuesday after the quake shook buildings and damaged road infrastructure. 

[30 November 2018 20:52 · Chris Stevenson]

The earthquake was felt 350 miles away from Anchorage in Fairbanks, Alaska

[30 November 2018 20:58 · Chris Stevenson]

A number of residents have been documenting the earthquake's effects on their homes.