JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A powerful, magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck in a remote area near the border between Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon on Saturday. There was no tsunami warning, and officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or injury.
The U.S. Geological Survey stated that it struck roughly 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon. In Whitehorse, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod reported receiving two 911 calls about the earthquake.
“It definitely was felt,” MacLeod noted, highlighting a flurry of social media activity from the local population.
Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, commented that the area most affected by the temblor is scenic but sparsely populated.
“Mostly people have reported things falling off shelves and walls,” Bird remarked, indicating that while there were no significant structural damages reported, the earthquake was certainly felt across the region.
The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter is Haines Junction, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, with a reported 2022 population of 1,018. The separatist quake was also about 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Yakutat, Alaska, which has a population of 662 residents.
The earthquake struck at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers) and was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks.
The U.S. Geological Survey stated that it struck roughly 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon. In Whitehorse, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod reported receiving two 911 calls about the earthquake.
“It definitely was felt,” MacLeod noted, highlighting a flurry of social media activity from the local population.
Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, commented that the area most affected by the temblor is scenic but sparsely populated.
“Mostly people have reported things falling off shelves and walls,” Bird remarked, indicating that while there were no significant structural damages reported, the earthquake was certainly felt across the region.
The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter is Haines Junction, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, with a reported 2022 population of 1,018. The separatist quake was also about 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Yakutat, Alaska, which has a population of 662 residents.
The earthquake struck at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers) and was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks.
