Larsen Bay, Alaska — A magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck 13 km WNW of Larsen Bay, Alaska, Friday morning.
According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake occurred at 11:00:01 UTC Friday and originated at a depth of 42.8 kilometers beneath the region west-northwest of the small Kodiak Island community.
Seismologists classified the event as a minor earthquake, a magnitude range that is commonly detected by seismic monitoring networks but rarely causes structural damage. As of early reports, no injuries or damage have been reported in Larsen Bay or surrounding Kodiak Island communities.
The epicenter was located offshore and west of the town, which sits along the western side of Kodiak Island in southern Alaska. The area lies within a highly active seismic zone where the Pacific Plate moves beneath the North American Plate, generating frequent small earthquakes.
According to seismic data from the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake’s 42.8 km depth places it within the deeper portion of the crust in the region, which can sometimes reduce shaking intensity at the surface compared to shallower earthquakes.
The monitoring agency indicated the event was automatically reviewed, and updates may occur if additional seismic analysis refines the magnitude or location.
Minor earthquakes of similar size occur regularly across Alaska, the most seismically active state in the United States, where thousands of small quakes are recorded annually.
No tsunami advisories were issued following the event.
While events of this magnitude are typically not widely felt, residents, students, and workers in coastal communities occasionally notice brief shaking depending on distance and local conditions.
Officials encourage residents to report shaking experiences through citizen science tools that help improve seismic intensity mapping.
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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