No tsunami risk but Kiwis advised to take care along the coast after Alaska earthquake

Only minor damage was reported in Alaska.
Only minor damage was reported in Alaska. Photo credit: US Geological Survey

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following a magnitude 8.2 earthquake off the coast of Alaska on Thursday night, but Kiwis are still being warned to take care near the ocean.

Civil Defence director Gary Knowles says a tsunami warning had now been lifted but there could be "unusual currents" in the sea on Friday.

"The only warning that we would give is that people should be cautious there may be strong unusual currents along the coastal areas, particularly if people are walking along those areas or on the harbour,' Knowles told Newshub.

"We're not saying people shouldn't visit those areas  but just remain cautious for unusual tides."

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck 61km east-south-east of Perryville, in Alaska at around 8:15pm on Wednesday (local time). It had a depth of 46.7km.

Only minor damage was reported in Alaska.

Earlier this year a series of shallow earthquakes in the Kermadec Islands triggered a tsunami warning for parts of New Zealand.

Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes across the North Island before the warning was lifted.