Anchorage, Alaska – Back-to-back earthquakes shook Southcentral Alaska on Saturday morning, sending sharp tremors across communities from Beluga to Point MacKenzie and into the Anchorage Bowl. The stronger jolt, a magnitude-5.0 centered about 9 kilometers northwest of Beluga, was felt across the Cook Inlet shoreline and prompted early reports of light shaking.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the M5.0 struck at 15:38 UTC, followed just two minutes earlier by a magnitude-4.9 roughly 19 kilometers west of Point MacKenzie. Both quakes originated deep underground, with the first at 76.8 kilometers and the second at 45.1 kilometers, a depth range typical for the seismically active region.
Residents in Anchorage, Wasilla, and smaller Kenai Peninsula towns noted brief but noticeable vibration, though no major damage has been reported. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security said people should check for gas leaks, secure loose items, and expect minor aftershocks through the rest of Saturday.
Communities along major routes including the Parks Highway and the Glenn Highway reported no closures, but drivers are urged to watch for rockfall in steep corridors. Emergency officials say additional seismic activity is possible and will issue updates if shaking continues.
