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A close-up look at the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Alaska today

Anchorage was rocked by back-to-back earthquakes on Friday morning, prompting a tsunami warning.

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Key Takeaways
  • The first earthquake measured 7.0, and the subsequent aftershock measured 5.7.
  • No serious injuries or deaths have been reported so far.
  • People immediately took to social media to post images and videos of the earthquakes' aftermath.

Two earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 rumbled Anchorage, Alaska on Friday morning, causing roads to split open and people to take cover under whatever shelter they could find.

The first and more powerful earthquake struck 7 miles north of Anchorage, a city of about 300,000 people, just before 8:30 a.m. local time. In buildings across the city, windows shattered, cereal boxes fell from grocery store shelves, and lights flickered on and off. Minutes later, a powerful aftershock rocked the city again.

Officials issued a tsunami warning after the back-to-back quakes, though it was later lifted without incident.

Updated Details on Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake in Alaska https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-70-earthquake-alaska …pic.twitter.com/jJmrKJkg13

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Alaska, whose southern region rests under various tectonic plates that slide past each other, is hit by an average of 40,000 earthquakes every year, the Associated Press reports. Still, it’s rare for quakes this powerful to strike so close to a heavily populated city like Anchorage.

“I’ve been here 11 years and I’ve felt movers before, but that scared me s***less,” Anchorage resident Kevin Bartley told reporter Nat Herz of Alaska Public Media. “That’s the quickest I’ve ever seen one come on and the hardest I’ve ever seen it shake.”

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker issued a declaration of disaster, and Anchorage police reported “major infrastructure damage.” No serious injuries or deaths have been reported so far.

Almost immediately after the earthquake, people began posting images and videos of the quakes and their aftermath to social media.

7.2 earthquake here in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a video my dad took from the Minnesota exit ramp from international. pic.twitter.com/1yOGj3yz9q

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USA TODAY on Instagram: “A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, causing widespread damage and triggering rock slides.⠀ ⠀ Residents are…”

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

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#Update: KTVA’s newsroom felt the blow of the earthquake this morning. #anchorage #alaska @looknerpic.twitter.com/WVxmn5f8SR

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Carrs wasilla #Alaska #earthquakepic.twitter.com/FyXzt8xUfV

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Here’s the 7.0 earthquake that hit Alaska today. Scary stuff.pic.twitter.com/OurxEL6nu8

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Footage shows the moment a woman and her son braved the intense shaking in their house as a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in Alaska. https://abcn.ws/2E6utcc pic.twitter.com/vqfgXtA50l

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About a mile from my house on Vine rd between KGB and Parks. #Alaskaearthquake #earthquake #alaskapic.twitter.com/5HnpXKGZUw

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Video from Anchorage, Alaska. 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck outside of Anchorage.pic.twitter.com/WgXieCxaTH

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#Alaska Earthquake 7.2 We are safe!pic.twitter.com/Z87hygOhH3

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BREAKING: Tsunami Warning for coastal areas of Cook Inlet and southern Kenai Peninsula in Alaska after powerful prelim. magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits near Anchorage.pic.twitter.com/PVEsH1fzoU

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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

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Are you prepared if an earthquake hits here? Here’s a guide to help. https://st.news/2U4JrV5 pic.twitter.com/ezYq4OtoOf

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What to do before, during, and after an earthquake.pic.twitter.com/dkAOGGQExP

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