Cantwell, Alaska – A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck Interior Alaska Friday afternoon, sending light shaking through remote areas southwest of Cantwell and prompting monitoring by state and federal seismic agencies.
According to the Alaska Earthquake Center and the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred shortly after midday Friday, centered about 50 kilometers southwest of Cantwell at a depth of roughly 95 kilometers. The depth likely reduced surface impacts, and no injuries or structural damage were immediately reported.
The quake was deep beneath the central Alaska Range, a region that frequently experiences seismic activity due to tectonic movement along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone. Residents in sparsely populated areas near Cantwell and along portions of the Parks Highway may have noticed brief shaking, though reports were limited.
Emergency management officials did not issue any advisories, and infrastructure disruptions were not expected. Transportation routes, including the Parks Highway corridor, remained open following the event.
Seismologists note that earthquakes of this size are common in Interior Alaska and typically do not lead to aftershock sequences that pose additional risk. Residents are still encouraged to remain aware of basic earthquake safety practices, including securing loose items and knowing safe places to take cover.
Seismic monitoring continues across the region, and officials say additional small earthquakes are possible in the coming days as the area adjusts.
