Unstable Planet: Anchorage, Alaska Is Devastated By A Giant 7.0 Earthquake – Is The West Coast Next?

Michael Snyder




We just got more evidence that our planet is becoming increasingly unstable. On Friday a magnitude 7.0 earthquake destroyed homes, ripped apart roads and destroyed infrastructure all throughout Anchorage, Alaska. According to the USGS, the earthquake hit at 8:29 AM and the epicenter was approximately 7 miles north of Anchorage. That quake was followed by a highly destructive magnitude 5.7 aftershock just a little while later. Alaska Governor Bill Walker has declared a state of emergency, and the entire region is in a state of chaos. Unfortunately, as global seismic activity continues to increase, more quakes like this are inevitable. Like Alaska, the entire west coast of the United States sits directly along the “Ring of Fire”, and many have warned that “the Big One” is coming sooner rather than later.

Tonight, large numbers of Anchorage residents are suddenly homeless, and that includes Alaska’s most famous politician…

Light fixtures fell, glass shattered, roadways and supermarket aisles were awash from food spilled from broken jars. Video images showed some roadways had collapsed. One man tweeted a photo of his toppled chimney and a local television station showed its studio filled with debris.

Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin tweeted, saying her family is intact but her “house is not.”

🙏🏼 for Alaska. Our family is intact – house is not… I imagine that’s the case for many, many others. So thankful to be safe; praying for our state following the earthquake.

— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) November 30, 2018

At this point it is extremely difficult to get around Anchorage. Numerous roads were shredded by the quake and that includes the only road to Wasilla…

The quake was so strong it broke windows, cracked buildings and knocked local news station KTUU off air. Several highway and local roads crumbled in the temblor, stranding cars in the asphalt mess. The shake also broke up the only road connecting Anchorage and the nearby towns of Wasilla and Palmer.

It is going to take an extended period of time for authorities to assess the economic damage and to figure out how many human casualties there were.

Many took cover under desks and in closets as the shaking happened, but those caught out in the open didn’t have anywhere to go.

One local resident named Melissa Lohr said that it “felt like the ground was gonna open up” underneath her…

“It felt like my car was uncontrollably sliding left and right and I just didn’t understand because it was going perfectly fine up until then. It felt like the ground was gonna open up underneath you,” Lohr said.

7.2 earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska.

Wow!

pic.twitter.com/pGsJxmTuIK

— Deplorable NPC 🇺🇸 (@1776PatHenry) November 30, 2018

In the aftermath of this Anchorage earthquake, many are wondering how long it will be before the west coast is struck by a major quake.

And the truth is that we have already been seeing quite a bit of shaking. In fact, a rather sizable earthquake did hit southern California very early on Thursday morning…

A 4.1 earthquake has rattled California and parts of Mexico, with San Diego among the cities hit.

The earthquake struck California at 5.48am, waking up many residents in the south of the state and north-west Mexico. One resident said on earthquake tracking website EMSC-CSEM: “The roof creaked and the ground rumbled.” Another reported: “It woke me up.”

Those that have been living in California have been hearing about “the Big One” for decades, but it hasn’t happened yet.

So many of them have been lulled into a false sense of security, but that is a huge mistake.

According to Cal State Fullerton professor Matt Kirby, when “the Big One” finally does hit, large portions of the coastline could be plunged into the ocean “relatively instantaneously”…

Cal State Fullerton professor Matt Kirby, who worked with the Leeper on the study, said the sinking would occur quickly and likely result in part of California being covered by the sea.

“It’s something that would happen relatively instantaneously,” Prof Kirby said. “Probably today if it happened, you would see seawater rushing in.”

Further north, the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a major concern.

Scientists assure us that someday a massive earthquake will strike along the Cascadia Subduction Zone which will destroy pretty much everything west of Interstate 5. The following comes from one of my previous articles…

One day it will happen. With little or no warning, the Cascadia Subduction Zone will produce a catastrophic earthquake and accompanying tsunami that will essentially destroy everything west of Interstate 5 in the Pacific Northwest. It will be the worst natural disaster up to that point in American history, and as you will see below, the experts are saying that we are completely and utterly unprepared for it. Of course the San Andreas Fault gets more publicity, but the truth is that the Cascadia Subduction Zone is capable of producing a quake “almost 30 times more energetic” than anything the San Andreas Fault can produce. The Cascadia Subduction Zone stretches from northern Vancouver Island all the way down to northern California, and one expert recently told CBN News that all of the major cities in the region are essentially “built on a time bomb”…

For years I have been warning about the instability of the west coast, and this earthquake in Alaska should be a major wake up call.

The west coast is home to the core of our tech industry and some of the most expensive real estate in the entire world, but the clock is ticking for that entire region.

Without warning, someday “the Big One” will literally shred the entire coastline, and it will be a disaster unlike anything that we have ever seen before in American history.

Footage from Snapchat maps on the earthquake in Anchorage. pic.twitter.com/5TPoHfpT7N

— ThorneSC (@ThorneSC) November 30, 2018

Don't want to wish Alaska ill, but it is better that the earth relieve itself there than say New Madrid! New Madrid is way over due and would reduce the US to being a third world crap hole if it goes off again the way it did New Years 1811/12.

"It Was Anarchy" As Mag 7 Quake Rocks Anchorage; Trump Promises Federal Aid

by Tyler Durden
Fri, 11/30/2018

Update II: In a tweet, President Trump said the federal government would "spare no expense" to help the people of Alaska.

To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a “big one.” 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2018

* * *

Update: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump has been briefed on the earthquake. Meanwhile, USGS has lifted the tsunami warning.

Alaska Governor Bill Walker has issued a disaster declaration and said he is in contact with the White House.

(1/2) After a major earthquake, I have issued a declaration of disaster & I have been in direct contact with the White House. Major General Laurie Hummel & I are now working w emergency responders to make sure Alaskans are safe.
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) November 30, 2018

(2/2) 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.

My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska.
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) November 30, 2018

So far, there have been five significant aftershocks, and more are expected throughout the day.

This morning at about 0930 hrs., a M7.0 ten miles from Anchorage, Alaska with major aftershocks, five so far, approximately at depth of 10-20 miles down today 11/30/2018 https://t.co/HoqmGA2lBx
— Bob Martin (@chaplainmartin1) November 30, 2018

Alaska Air has temporarily suspended operations at its Anchorage Airport.

Due to a significant earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska, we are temporarily suspending operations at the airport until at least 12:30pm Pacific.

We will keep you updated here as well as on the Alaska Airlines Blog. https://t.co/m7heW6QgsU
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) November 30, 2018

While Alaskans are no stranger to Earthquakes (as we mentioned below, they suffer more than the other 49 states combined), it's becoming increasingly clear that this one was different.

Growing up in Alaska, we were pretty used to earthquakes. Most lucky to make a blip on the news. This was different. From a friend: pic.twitter.com/TBdiQK6JIX
— Tyson Alger (@tysonalger) November 30, 2018

* * *

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Anchorage, Alaska Friday morning, prompting people living in the city to run out of their offices and hide under their desks until the tremor had passed. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake's epicenter was located roughly 7 miles (12 kilometers) north of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, according to the Associated Press.

Alaska

A reporter in Anchorage witnessed cracks in a 2-storey building after the quake, which was followed by smaller aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.3 and magnitude 5.7 - which sent people running for cover again. Residents were warned that more could follow throughout the day.

One witness offered a harrowing description of the quake to the AP:

"It was anarchy," he said. "There’s no pictures left on the walls, there’s no power, there’s no fish tank left. Everything that’s not tied down is broke."

David Harper told the AP that he was getting coffee at a store when the rumbling began and intensified into something that sounded "like the building was just going to fall apart," sending him sprinting for the exit.

"The main thought that was going through my head as I was trying to get out the door was, 'I want this to stop,'" he said. Harper said the quake was "significant enough that the people who were outside were actively hugging each other. You could tell that it was a bad one."

Some context: Alaska averages 40,000 earthquakes per year, with more large quakes than the 49 other states combined. The southern part of the state is particularly vulnerable due to shifting tectonic plates. The strongest quake to ever strike the state

Quake

(Courtesy of NBC News)

Alyeska Pipeline Service said it is checking on its Alaska pipeline after the quake. A company spokeswoman said the company currently isn't aware of any problems, according to Bloomberg. The pipeline has been shut down as a precaution.

USGS issued a tsunami warning shortly after the quake, warning people to evacuate coastal areas of the Cook Inlet and Southern Kenai Peninsula.

Tsunami

Alaska's Anchorage airport said some flights were still arriving but advised that others might be canceled.

Currently some flights are arriving. Check with your airline for the most up to date information.
— Anchorage Airport (@TSAIAirport) November 30, 2018

Reports of road damage have been confirmed, including International Airport Road. Use EXTREME Caution if you are driving.
— Anchorage Airport (@TSAIAirport) November 30, 2018

The arrivals ramp and the departure ramp is closed. The commercial curb is available. Follow traffic control signage and barricades.
— Anchorage Airport (@TSAIAirport) November 30, 2018

The airport terminal is open. Flights are arriving and departing. Check with your airline for accurate information.
— Anchorage Airport (@TSAIAirport) November 30, 2018

The Anchorage School District posted a message to parents on via its official Twitter account.

We hope that everyone is safe after the earthquake. We are assessing building safety and damages now. We will update the community as new information comes in. In the meantime, parents and guardians, when you feel it is safe to do so, please pick your children up from school.
— ASD Information (@ASD_Info) November 30, 2018

One local news station posted a photo of the quake's aftermath.

KTVA’s newsroom felt the blow of the earthquake this morning. #anchorage #alaska #earthquake #weather pic.twitter.com/d1SaxriGw9
— Cassie Schirm (@cassieschirmtv) November 30, 2018

One Twitter user offered a glimpse into what houses across Anchorage must look like right now:

I’m guessing that houses all across Anchorage have rooms that look like this or much worse right now. #earthquake pic.twitter.com/mzq8dX85NG
— Dermot Cole (@DermotMCole) November 30, 2018

There was just a MONSTER earthquake in Anchorage. I was getting coffee in a store at the time. Here's the shelves. pic.twitter.com/SqERuX7FRH
— David Harper (@slicedfriedgold) November 30, 2018

Behind the bar at Chilkoot Charlie's in Anchorage #AkEarthquake pic.twitter.com/ZP2wqAW4go
— The Zackist (@zacklewis) November 30, 2018

Major earthquake in Anchorage this morning. ⁦@uaanchorage⁩ is closed. We have some damage. Currently assessing. No word of injuries, thankfully. Power still OK. This is one of our conference rooms. Kudos to our Incident Management Team for quick response. We are fortunate. pic.twitter.com/ZffVAwuIbY
— Cathy Sandeen (@CathySandeen) November 30, 2018

Harrowing videos showing students taking shelter under their desks and other terrifying scenes quickly surfaced on social media. Another showed the damage that occurred on the sixth floor of the Anchorage courthouse:

7.2 earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska.

Wow!

pic.twitter.com/pGsJxmTuIK
— Deplorable NPC 🇺🇸 (@1776PatHenry) November 30, 2018

I liked a @YouTube video https://t.co/FSdfq17l20 7.2 EARTHQUAKE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA | Nov. 30, 2018
— BrandontheArchivist (@BrandonSzinavel) November 30, 2018

This is what happened on the 6th floor of the Nesbett Courthouse during the Anchorage #earthquake. Both attorneys jumped under their desks. Evacuated the building after the shaking stopped. pic.twitter.com/dqHGPCv6XO
— Heather Hintze (@HeatherHintze) November 30, 2018

Collapsed exit in Anchorage, Alaska, after the earthquake via Dillon Vought https://t.co/mc66WrJz2I

Ongoing updates from @weatherchannel here:https://t.co/oZLHc2Xz8h pic.twitter.com/4ztNRShw20
— Eric Zerkel (@EricZerkel) November 30, 2018

MORE: Newsroom of CBS affiliate @ktva in Anchorage, Alaska suffers significant damage in 7.0-magnitude earthquake; after being knocked off air, local reporters deliver updates via Facebook Live https://t.co/j8ZFCM8v8j pic.twitter.com/0jynmCjRzD
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 30, 2018

Meanwhile, the number of people injured in the quake has yet to be reported.