UPDATE: 8.0 Earthquake hits near Rat Islands Alaska, Tsunami Warning Issued

ALASKA – Several earthquakes have occurred near Alaska, the latest one being an 8.0 magnitude at a depth of 68 miles.  This quake was located 25 miles NW of Amchitka, Alaska or 195 miles W of Adak, Alaska.  A tsunami warning remains in effect from a previous high magnitude earthquake.  The tsunami warning is in effect for the coastal areas of Alaska from Nikolski, Alaska to Attu, Alaska.

UPDATE – Associated Press Reports:  Residents of the city of Adak on Alaska's Aleutian Islands evacuated the town site and gathered on a nearby hill Monday after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake prompted a tsunami warning for part of the island chain.

"We're seeing water leave our bay, so we do have everybody up on the Bering Hill area, where our primary evacuation centre is at," City Manager Layton Lockett told The Associated Press by telephone as he gathered some last paperwork before heading out himself to join about 300 residents at the centre.

About 200 miles west, a tsunami wave of about 7 inches was reported at Amchitka Island, said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

There were no immediate reports of damage, he said, as authorities with the state emergency system began notifying the coastal communities affected by the tsunami warning or the tsunami advisory that was issued for coastlines further from the earthquake's epicenter.