In brief
On Saturday, a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck a remote region close to the border of Alaska and Yukon. Centered about 230 miles northwest of Juneau, the quake generated tremors felt in Whitehorse, Yukon. Local authorities reported minor disturbances but no structural damage. Seismologists noted the region's sparse population and significant natural beauty, attributing the primarily reported incidents to items falling off shelves.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A powerful, magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck in a remote area near the border between Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon on Saturday. There was no tsunami warning, and officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or injury.The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake occurred approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon.In Whitehorse, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod confirmed that the detachment received two 911 calls about the earthquake, with many residents discussing the tremors on social media.“It definitely was felt,” MacLeod stated. Seismologist Alison Bird from Natural Resources Canada noted that the impacted area is predominantly filled with scenic mountains and few inhabitants. “Mostly people have reported things falling off shelves and walls,” Bird explained. “It doesn’t seem like we’ve seen anything in terms of structural damage.”The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter is Haines Junction, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, with a population count of 1,018 according to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics in 2022. The quake also occurred about 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Yakutat, Alaska, where about 662 residents reside.This earthquake hit at a depth of approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) and was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks.