A 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook the Alaska Peninsula early Monday morning, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) and the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at 3:58 AM IST (late Sunday in Alaska) at a depth of 48 kilometers.
Epicenter and Location Details
The USGS identified the epicenter as 81 kilometers south-southeast of Sand Point, Alaska, at a latitude of 54.99°N and a longitude of 159.98°W. Sand Point is a small community located on the peninsula’s eastern coast, an area known for its high seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Notable Earthquake with No Immediate Threat
The USGS described the earthquake as “notable,” noting that it may have been felt by residents in Sand Point and nearby areas. Fortunately, no tsunami warning was issued. Local emergency officials are closely monitoring the situation and have reported no injuries or damage so far.
Recent Seismic Activity
This recent quake follows another significant seismic event—a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the Alaska Peninsula on July 17. That powerful quake hit at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles). Initially, the US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for parts of coastal Alaska. However, just over an hour later, the warning was downgraded to an advisory, and subsequently, all tsunami warnings, advisories, watches, or threats were canceled.
The USGS explained that the earthquake south of Sand Point occurred due to “thrust faulting on or near the subduction zone interface between the Pacific and North America plates.”
