A significant and powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 rattled a remote region near the international border separating Alaska, USA, and Canada's Yukon territory on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage following the seismic event, and authorities did not issue a tsunami warning.
Epicentre Location and Seismic Details
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the quake's origin. The epicentre was located approximately 230 miles (370 kilometres) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and about 155 miles (250 kilometres) west of Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. The tremor occurred at a relatively shallow depth of around 6 miles (10 kilometres), which often results in more intense shaking at the surface. The main shock was followed by a series of smaller aftershocks, a common occurrence after a major seismic event.
Impact and Reports from the Ground
Despite the quake's substantial power, its impact was limited due to the sparse population in the affected mountainous zone. Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, confirmed that the most shaken area has very few inhabitants. Reports primarily involved household items like objects falling from shelves and walls.
In Whitehorse, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Calista MacLeod stated that their detachment received two emergency calls related to the earthquake. "It definitely was felt," MacLeod said, noting that many residents took to social media to share their experiences of the tremor.
Nearest Communities and Population Density
The Canadian settlement closest to the epicentre is Haines Junction in Yukon, situated roughly 80 miles (130 kilometres) away. Official statistics from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics recorded its population at 1,018 in 2022. On the American side, the Alaskan community of Yakutat was about 56 miles (91 kilometres) from the quake's origin. The USGS estimates Yakutat's population at 662 residents. The low population density in the immediate vicinity of the epicentre is a key reason for the absence of severe damage reports.
Officials from both nations continue to monitor the situation, but the initial assessment suggests a fortunate outcome given the earthquake's significant magnitude. The event serves as a reminder of the active seismic nature of the region.
