Kivalina, AK – Residents in northwest Alaska may have felt light shaking Tuesday evening after a magnitude 3.9 earthquake was recorded offshore, west of the village of Kivalina.
According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake struck at 10:51 a.m. Alaska time (19:51 UTC) on Tuesday, with the epicenter located approximately 82 kilometers (51 miles) west of Kivalina, a small coastal community in the Northwest Arctic Borough. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of about 5 kilometers, which can increase the likelihood of shaking being felt near the epicenter.
Seismologists classified the event as minor, and there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Initial ShakeMap data suggests light shaking may have been felt in sparsely populated areas along Alaska’s northwest coast, though population density in the region is low.
The Alaska Earthquake Center reported the event was detected automatically and continues to monitor for potential aftershocks. As of this update, no tsunami warning or advisory was issued, as earthquakes of this size do not typically generate tsunami activity.
Alaska is the most seismically active state in the U.S., experiencing tens of thousands of earthquakes each year, many of them too small or remote to be felt. Shallow offshore quakes near the Chukchi Sea region are not uncommon.
Residents who felt shaking are encouraged to submit a report through the “Did You Feel It?” system, which helps scientists better understand how earthquakes affect local communities.
Emergency officials remind residents that even small earthquakes are good reminders to review safety plans and secure heavy objects inside homes.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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