YAKUTAT, Alaska – Two earthquakes shook the inland terrain north of Yakutat on Saturday, briefly rattling remote communities and triggering renewed awareness of ongoing seismic activity in Southeast Alaska. The stronger of the pair, a magnitude 4.3, struck about 115 kilometers north of the city, followed minutes later by a magnitude-3.1 event centered roughly 105 kilometers to the northwest.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the M4.3 quake hit at 1:49 p.m. local time at a depth of 5 kilometers, followed by the M3.1 at 2:02 p.m. Both originated in a sparsely populated region along the boundary of the Pacific and North American plates, an area known for frequent moderate shaking.
While no damage reports have surfaced, the quakes were strong enough to prompt agencies to review conditions along isolated road corridors and aviation routes that cross the interior mountains. Pilots operating between Yakutat and Fairweather Glacier were urged to monitor updates in case of loose rock or snow movement triggered by the shaking.
Emergency officials said residents in Yakutat and nearby villages should keep communication devices charged and review family readiness plans in case aftershocks continue. Scientists note that additional small quakes remain possible through the rest of the weekend.
More updates will be issued if seismic activity increases or if new damage reports emerge.
