Tsunami warning issued after major 7.7 earthquake strikes British Columbia & Alaska region

Coastal areas of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are under a tsunami warning after a strong earthquake shook an island off the west coast of Canada.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the Queen Charlotte Islands area on Saturday night, followed by a 5.8-magnitude aftershock several minutes later.

The National Weather Service has issued a warning for coastal areas of southern Alaska, Northern California, Oregon and Washington state. It says the warning area includes Craig and Sitka, Alaska.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska says it's trying to warn everyone with a boat on the water to prepare for a potential tsunami.

Lt. Bernard Auth of the Juneau Command Center says the Coast Guard is also working with local authorities to alert people in coastal towns to take precautions.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/27/tsunami-warning-issued-after-77-earthquake-strikes-british-columbia/#ixzz2AZ7ZSeEy