Massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocks Alaska sending tremors across the continent

Massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocks Alaska sending tremors across the continent

JOE HUTCHISON,

An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 rocked Alaska, with tremors being felt as far away as Canada. 

The United States Geological Survey said on Saturday that the quake struck the region around Yakutat in the state at a depth of 6.21 miles. 

Yakutat had a population of just 657 people in 2020 and is some 300 miles away from Anchorage, where the quake was also felt. 

The USGS recorded another three quakes in the region shortly after, including a magnitude 5.3 and a magnitude 5.0 quake. 

There was no tsunami warning, and there were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

'It definitely was felt,' MacLeod said. 'There are a lot of people on social media, people felt it.' She said there were no reports of damage or injury.

According to NASA, there are on average 18 major earthquakes measuring between 7.0 and 7.9 a year, with one greater earthquake that is above 8.0.

Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, said the part of the Yukon most affected by the temblor is home to scenic mountains and few people.

Following that quake, the US Geological Survey detected more than a dozen aftershocks, ranging from 4.8 to 5.6 magnitude. 

Major 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Alaska-Canada Border, Over 20 Aftershocks Recorded

Naman Trivedi

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck near the Alaska–Yukon border, triggering more than 20 aftershocks and shaking communities across Alaska and Canada, though no casualties or major structural damage have been reported.

 The quake was centered 96 km (56 miles) northeast of Yakutat and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon at 02:11:48 (UTC+05:30), with tremors felt across Juneau, Anchorage, and several bordering regions of Canada.

Yakutat, the closest population center to the epicenter, had about 657 residents in 2020 and 332 housing units in 2023, according to the US Census Bureau.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod confirmed the quake was strongly felt in Canada, saying her detachment received two 911 calls about the earthquake, adding, “It definitely was felt. There are a lot of people on social media, people felt it.”

More than 20 aftershocks were recorded shortly after the main earthquake, including significant tremors measured at 5.6, 5.3 and 5.0 magnitudes. USGS noted that the quake’s magnitude may be revised as seismologists analyze additional data.

Aftershocks