Earthquake causes disruption at Anchorage Airport

Photo: © Frank K.

Anchorage Airport has been forced to temporarily limit operations, after an earthquake caused an evacuation of the control tower.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred about 7.5 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska and was registered with a 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale.

The FAA issued a ground stop for all not-yet departed flights heading to Anchorage Airport, or the airspace above it. Aircraft already in the air are allowed to land at the airport, under uncontrolled air field operation procedures.

Alaska Airlines has temporarily suspended its flight operations until at least 12:30 pm local time. Only some freighter aircraft are landing at Anchorage Airport at the moment. Most traffic has been diverted to other airports.

Passengers are reporting on social media that the terminal building was temporarily evacuated. The airport also confirmed that roads to the airport have been damaged.

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