7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Alaska, Tremors Felt in Canada

Major Earthquake Strikes Alaska, Felt in Canada

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck Alaska, sending tremors as far as Canada. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred in the region around Yakutat at a depth of 6.21 miles. Yakutat, which had a population of just 657 people in 2020, is located about 300 miles from Anchorage, where the earthquake was also felt.

In the hours following the main quake, the USGS recorded three additional earthquakes in the same area, including a 5.3 and a 5.0 magnitude tremor. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami warning was issued.

In Whitehorse, Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod confirmed that two 911 calls were received regarding the earthquake. "It definitely was felt," she said. "There are a lot of people on social media, people felt it." She added that there were no reports of damage or injury.

According to NASA, the world experiences an average of 18 major earthquakes each year, measuring between 7.0 and 7.9 on the Richter scale, with one or more quakes above 8.0 occurring annually.

The magnitude of an earthquake indicates its strength. A 7.0 to 7.9 quake is considered a major event that can cause serious damage. Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, explained that the part of the Yukon most affected by the tremor is known for its scenic mountains and sparse population.

"Mostly people have reported things falling off shelves and walls," Bird said. "It doesn’t seem like we’ve seen anything in terms of structural damage."

The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter is Haines Junction, approximately 80 miles away. According to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, the population of Haines Junction was 1,018 in 2022.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities posted on Facebook following the earthquake. They stated that they were conducting standard post-event inspections of state highways, bridges, airports, and other transportation infrastructure in the region. "At this time, no major travel impacts are expected," the statement read. "If any issues are identified, updates will be shared here and through Alaska 51."

Recent Seismic Activity in Other Regions

In September, a large-scale 7.8 earthquake off Russia’s east coast triggered tsunami alerts in Alaska. Following that quake, the USGS detected more than a dozen aftershocks, ranging from 4.8 to 5.6 magnitude.

Just last month, a swarm of quakes rocked the Central Coast of California after a significant shake hit the area. More than a dozen tremors were reported across one afternoon, all centered in a one-mile area near the towns of Templeton and San Luis Obispo.

The first quake registered as 2.0. Three hours earlier, a more powerful 3.3 tremor shook the coastal region. The swarm began after a 4.1 earthquake erupted just four miles away from Templeton.

The sudden quake was reported along the coastline, from Salinas in the north to Lompoc in the south, both more than 60 miles away.