Tsunami Warning Downgraded After Earthquake Off Coast of Alaska

— -- A powerful magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska today, prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning for the state's coastal regions. The warning was later downgraded to an advisory.

The quake, which shook an area about 15 miles from Little Sitkin Island, was initially deemed a 7.1 on the Richter scale before it was upgraded to an 7.9.

Tsunami waves in Unalaska and Saint Paul, Alaska, were expected to be under a foot tall, the the National Weather Service advisory said. Waves had already reached other locations in Alaska, none higher than a foot.

Widespread inundation was no longer expected in advisory areas, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.

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