6.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Alaska on Thanksgiving morning

Alaska experienced a 6.0-magnitude earthquake early on Thanksgiving, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake occurred shortly after 8 a.m. local time near Susitna, approximately 37 miles northwest of Anchorage.

Authorities reported no immediate serious damage or fatalities, according to ABC News. The National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that no tsunami is expected from this event.

The tremors were felt as far as Fairbanks, located roughly 350 miles north of Anchorage, according to the Anchorage Daily News. State seismologist Mike West explained that the earthquakes depth of 43 miles contributed to the wide area over which it was felt.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced plans to inspect roads, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure for any potential damage following the earthquake.

The USGS noted a 28 percent probability of at least one aftershock exceeding magnitude 5 within the next week. They added that smaller aftershocks are more likely, with a 97 percent chance of magnitude 3 or greater tremors occurring in the coming days.

Alaska experiences more earthquakes than any other U.S. state and is among the worlds most seismically active regions, according to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission. The states second-largest recorded earthquake occurred in 1964, registering a magnitude of 9.2.

Thursdays quake was the largest in south-central Alaska since 2021, when a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck near the village of Chickaloon, northeast of Anchorage, as reported by KTUU. Anchorage also experienced a severe 7.1-magnitude earthquake in 2018, which caused widespread damage, broken water lines, and power outages affecting tens of thousands, according to The New York Times.

Author: Sophia Brooks