A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck near the city of Anchorage in Alaska, causing major damage to a number of roads and buildings.
A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the state but officials later cancelled it, as residents began posting videos of ceiling tiles falling and furniture rumbling in the quake.
Former governor Sarah Palin was among those who say their homes have been damaged, but she tweeted that her family was safe in spite of the damage to her home.
Scientists say that this particular earthquake was caused by two tectonic plates moving apart, and images of roadways show areas where roads simply collapsed in place as if the ground had been moved out from underneath.
No deaths were reported from the earthquake, but President Donald Trump did weigh in to say that the state has the full support of the American government for any recovery needs.
"To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a 'big one'", Mr Trump tweeted from Argentina, where he is attending the G20 summit. "Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL"!
Mr Trump stopped short of issuing a disaster declaration for the state, but Alaska Governor Bill Walker said that he is in contact with the White House for recovery as things proceed.
"From the incident command centre established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings," Mr Walker wrote on Facebook announcing a state disaster declaration. "My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska".
Read along for live updates as they happened on Friday
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says they have evacuated the tower at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
Flights that were en route are being diverted, and flights that are bound for this airport but have not taken off yet are under a ground stop.
There are about 20 flights initially affected, but this preliminary number may change as officials continue assessing the damage.
Here is their full statement:
The Anchorage Police Department is operational after this morning’s massive earthquake.
Our Dispatch center is fully staffed and answering your calls as quickly as they can. Please only call 911 if it’s an emergency.
Our officers have been dispatched throughout the area and are handling multiple situations. We are working with our public safety partners to keep you safe. For parents, we are working with our partners at the Anchorage School District to check on your children and make sure they are safe.
There is major infrastructure damage across Anchorage. Many homes and buildings are damaged. Many roads and bridges are closed. Stay off the roads if you don’t need to drive. Seek a safe shelter. Check on your surroundings and loved ones.
We will keep you updated via Nixle throughout the day.
Again, stay safe and off the roads. Call 911 only if it’s an emergency.
US military base Elmendorf-Richardson is conducting a damage assessment
“We have recalled our senior staff into our emergency response centre", spokeswoman Dana Rosso told CNN
The is not the only US military base in Alaska, but it is the largest. The base is standing by to render assistance if asked by local and state officials.
President Trump has been briefed on the Alaska earthquake and is monitoring damage reports, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said on Twitter
"We are praying for the safety of all Alaskans!" she added.
Alaska Governor Bill Walker has issued a declaration of disaster after Friday morning’s earthquake, according to a post on his Facebook page.
It seems it will be making use of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson mentioned earlier.
"From the incident command center established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings," he wrote.
"My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska."
Two of Anchorage's main hospitals sustained damage following the earthquake near the city.
Kjerstin Lastufka, a spokeswoman at Alaska Regional hospital, said the hospital is assessing the main building and offices on campus. “We’re seeing some cracks in the walls and some cracks in the floors, and a little bit of water leaks.”
The hospital emergency room is open, but all elective surgeries and appointments have been cancelled.
Providence Alaska Medical Center also announced that though there was some building damage, their Accident and Emergency department remains open.
Earthquakes are common in this region, says the United States Geological Survey. Over the past century, 14 other earthquakes of 6.0 magnitude and above have occurred within 150 km (93.2 miles) of the earthquake that hit this morning near Anchorage.
Two such earthquakes -- a 6.6 magnitude quake in July 1983 and a 6.4 magnitude quake in September 1983 -- seem similar to today's earthquake.
It will re-open after an assessment.
Southern Alaska has a high risk of earthquakes due to tectonic plates sliding past each other under the region. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Pacific plate is sliding northwestward and plunges beneath the North American plate in southern Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands.
Mr Doll made the statement to reporters Tuesday after the quake shook buildings and damaged road infrastructure.
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