Willow, AK – A small earthquake struck near Willow late Friday night, registering a magnitude 3.1 and occurring just before midnight, according to seismic data.
According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake hit at 11:59 p.m. UTC on Friday, April 24 (Friday afternoon Alaska time), about 16 kilometers east-northeast of Willow in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The tremor originated at a depth of approximately 57.3 kilometers, which can reduce surface shaking intensity.
The area sits within Southcentral Alaska, a seismically active region that frequently experiences minor earthquakes. Communities closest to the epicenter include Willow, Houston, and parts of the greater Anchorage area, though quakes of this size are often too small to cause damage.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural impacts as of Friday night. Light shaking may have been felt by some residents, particularly those in quieter indoor settings.
Earthquake monitoring agencies note that events below magnitude 4.0 are generally considered minor, though they can still be felt depending on depth and proximity. The Alaska Earthquake Center continues to monitor seismic activity across the region and encourages residents to report any shaking experiences to improve data collection.
Alaska experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, most of which are too small to be noticed. Still, officials remind residents to remain prepared, especially in areas with frequent seismic movement.
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