Copyright Newsweek
A magnitude-5.4 earthquake rattled the Aleutian region of Alaska on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Although no immediate damage or injuries were reported, officials reminded residents in the remote region to remain alert for potential aftershocks. Local emergency agencies say they are monitoring the seismic activity but have not issued any tsunami warnings. Where Was the Epicenter of the Alaska Earthquake Today? The U.S. Geological Survey reported that today’s magnitude-5.4 earthquake struck beneath the Aleutian region of Alaska, with its epicenter located about 50 miles south-southwest of Nikolski. The quake originated roughly 24 miles below the Earth’s surface, a depth typical for seismic activity in the tectonically active Aleutian arc. The earthquake's center was roughly 800 miles from Anchorage and approximately 1,100 miles from Juneau. What Causes an Earthquake? Earthquakes occur when stress builds up along faults or tectonic plate boundaries and is suddenly released as energy, causing the ground to shake. In Alaska, one of the most seismically active regions in the world, this process happens primarily where the Pacific Plate slides beneath the North American Plate. As the plates grind and deform, pressure accumulates until it overcomes the friction holding them together, resulting in a rupture. The released seismic waves travel through the Earth’s crust, producing the shaking felt on the surface. This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
