8.2 Magnitude Quake in Alaska Puts Some B.C. Coastal Residents on Edge

A view of Douglas Channel south of Kitmat, B.C., in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

KITAMAAT VILLAGE, B.C.—A powerful earthquake off Alaska Wednesday night triggered tsunami warnings and watches far across the Pacific and led to some anxious hours for residents of low lying regions along British Columbia’s northwest coast.

The U.S. Geological Survey says an 8.2 magnitude quake hit off the Alaska Peninsula roughly 800 kilometres southwest of Anchorage at about 9:15 p.m. Pacific time.