US Politics
Earthquake of 6.0 magnitude rocks Alaska early on Thanksgiving morning
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A 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Alaska early on Thanksgiving morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake struck just after 8 a.m. local time near Susitna, about 37 miles northwest of Anchorage. There were no immediate reports of significant damage or deaths, according to ABC News. The National Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami is not expected following the quake.
The tremors were felt all the way in Fairbanks, which is about 350 miles north of Anchorage, according to the Anchorage Daily News. The earthquake’s depth — recorded at 43 miles — is part of the reason it was felt so far away, state seismologist Mike West told the outlet.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said it would inspect roads, tunnels and other infrastructure for damage following Thursday’s earthquake.
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The USGS has reported a 28 percent chance of “one or more aftershocks that are larger than magnitude 5” within the next week. These aftershocks could be damaging, the agency said.
Smaller aftershocks are more likely, with the USGS reporting a 97 percent chance of magnitude 3 or above aftershocks in the coming days.
Alaska sees more earthquakes than any other U.S. region, and is in one of the most seismically active areas in the world, according to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission. The second-largest earthquake in recorded history hit Alaska in 1964, with a magnitude of 9.2.
Thursday’s earthquake marked the largest in the south-central Alaska region since 2021, when a 6.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Chickaloon, a village northeast of Anchorage, according to local outlet KTUU.
Anchorage was also rocked by a devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake in 2018. While no deaths were reported, the earthquake damaged buildings, broke water lines and knocked out power for tens of thousands of people, according to The New York Times.