Striking images from Alaska after earthquake rocks Anchorage
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday shook buildings, collapsed roads and triggered at least nine aftershocks — producing a lot of dramatic images. No serious injuries were immediately reported.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake, centered about 7.5 miles north of Anchorage, occurred at about 8:29 a.m. local time, triggering a tsunami warning and forcing a ground stop at Anchorage International Airport.
Among the first images of damage to emerge was of a buckled highway ramp near the airport with a single car left stranded on it.
Here’s the islanded car at the wrecked anchorage off ramp. pic.twitter.com/626As53hzF
— Nat Herz (@Nat_Herz) November 30, 2018
This road was damaged during a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Anchorage. The road is right outside Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
(Video: Scott Marsteller/CNN) https://t.co/VGEqpv70w6 pic.twitter.com/K1WNrzqtcH
— FOX26 News (@KMPHFOX26) November 30, 2018
Similar roadway damage was seen in Chugiak, Alaska, in a Snapchat video.
Footage from Snapchat maps on the earthquake in Anchorage. pic.twitter.com/5TPoHfpT7N
— ThorneSC (@ThorneSC) November 30, 2018
Smoke could be seen billowing in another video posted to social media.
More footage from Anchorage via Snapchat maps. Prayers going up. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/tSP7HWst0P
— ThorneSC (@ThorneSC) November 30, 2018
The quake forced the evacuation of KTVA’s newsroom in Anchorage.
#Update: KTVA’s newsroom felt the blow of the earthquake this morning. #anchorage #alaska @lookner pic.twitter.com/WVxmn5f8SR
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) November 30, 2018
A student shared an eerie video from outside his school, which he said was “straight cracked” in half.
This earthquake straight cracked my school in half pic.twitter.com/kdm1O1yjb6
— Josh Bierma (@jlennyb) November 30, 2018
Other students could be seen taking cover under desks and folding chairs.
Earthquake just happened right now i ’m actually shaking pic.twitter.com/PoZGOlJGWS
— Alyson Petrie (@AlysonPetrie7) November 30, 2018
@ktva this is the earth quake in anchorage Alaska pic.twitter.com/cWW9LCvYdx
— Diabe_eepiez (@RampageDeath666) November 30, 2018
Images and video from inside a grocery store showed extensive, though relatively minor, damage.
Ceiling is falling down pic.twitter.com/ZPY6fhEPrp
— Chase (@Chase_AK) November 30, 2018
Pipes broken pic.twitter.com/a60pf39JyH
— Chase (@Chase_AK) November 30, 2018
#HolyCrap #Earthquake #anchorage pic.twitter.com/88MR0UVO3C
— Chase (@Chase_AK) November 30, 2018
Perhaps the most dramatic footage came from inside a courtroom in downtown Anchorage, where the earthquake sent attorneys ducking for cover.
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
One of the aftershocks set off the metal detectors in the courthouse lobby.
On the first floor for the second earthquake. The metal detectors all go off at the same time when the earth is moving, guard explained. Several new cracks reported in Nesbett Courthouse wall. pic.twitter.com/xO8ZUz875J
— Heather Hintze (@HeatherHintze) November 30, 2018
Former Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin asked her Twitter followers to pray for the state, saying her home was damaged in the quake.
🙏🏼 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
President Trump, who is in Buenos Aires attending the G-20 summit, said his government would “spare no expense” in helping Alaskans recover.
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
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the main roadways around Anchorage may not be repaired until spring, which could hurt areas of the state dependent on the city as a port of entry for essential goods and services.
But at least one local company looked to capitalize on the quake.
Cannabaska doing this whole thing right pic.twitter.com/5w1lVKUbIv
— A🎈 (@adriannam907) November 30, 2018