A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the northern part of the United States early Saturday, sending shockwaves across hundreds of miles and prompting thousands of residents to flee their homes in panic.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake erupted at a shallow depth of just over six miles — a level known to amplify surface shaking and drastically widen the affected zone.
Despite occurring in one of the nation’s quieter, remote regions, the tremor was so forceful that it was felt across state lines and even reported by communities far outside the United States. Emergency lines lit up within minutes as startled residents described walls trembling, shelves rattling, and the ground “rolling like a wave.”
Only in the fourth paragraph did officials confirm the location: the quake struck the region surrounding Yakutat, Alaska, a sparsely populated area sitting roughly 300 miles from Anchorage, where shaking was also reported.
According to the USGS, the major quake was followed by three noticeable aftershocks — including a magnitude 5.3 and a magnitude 5.0 — prompting seismologists to warn of continued instability in the area over the coming days.
Despite the strength of the quake, authorities reported no immediate injuries or major structural damage, and no tsunami warning was issued.
Across the Canadian border, residents of Whitehorse described the tremors as “strong and unmistakable.” Local police confirmed receiving emergency calls from concerned citizens, though early assessments indicated no damage.
NASA statistics show that Earth experiences roughly 18 major quakes in the 7.0 to 7.9 range every year, events powerful enough to cause widespread destruction depending on population density and building resilience.
Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, noted that the part of the Yukon most affected by the shaking consists mainly of rugged mountain terrain with few residents. “Mostly it’s been reports of items falling off shelves,” Bird said. “We’re not seeing signs of structural damage so far.”
The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter appears to be Haines Junction, about 80 miles away, with a population just over 1,000 people.
Following the quake, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced that inspection teams had been dispatched to review highways, bridges, airports, and key infrastructure. “No major travel impacts are expected at this time,” the agency stated on social media.
Saturday’s event comes just months after a massive 7.8 earthquake off Russia’s Far East coast triggered tsunami alerts for Alaska, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to major seismic activity.
