In brief
On Saturday, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the remote regions near the Alaska-Yukon border. Reported from approximately 230 miles northwest of Juneau, the quake caused no tsunami warning and was felt primarily in communities nearby. Local authorities received minimal reports of damage, with most residents experiencing minor disturbances at home.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — On Saturday, a powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake shook a remote region close to the Alaska-Yukon border. Fortunately, there was no tsunami warning issued, and local officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, and about 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse in Yukon.In Whitehorse, Sgt. Calista MacLeod from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police noted that their detachment received two emergency calls regarding the earthquake. ‘It definitely was felt,’ MacLeod confirmed, highlighting the significant chatter on social media about the temblor.Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, explained that the area most affected by the earthquake is characterized by scenic mountains and sparse population density. 'People have mostly reported items falling off shelves and walls,’ she added. 'It doesn't seem like we've seen anything in terms of structural damage.'The nearest community to the quake's epicenter is Haines Junction, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, with a 2022 population of approximately 1,018. The quake also occurred near Yakutat, Alaska, which has around 662 residents and is situated about 56 miles (91 kilometers) from the epicenter. It struck at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers) and was followed by several minor aftershocks.
