Note: Map shows the area with a shake intensity of 3 or greater, which U.S.G.S. defines as “weak,” though the earthquake may be felt outside the areas shown. The New York Times
A strong, 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck in Alaska on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The temblor happened at 8:11 a.m. Alaska time about 7 miles northwest of Susitna, Alaska, or about 35 miles northwest of Anchorage, data from the agency shows.
Some Alaskans said on social media that the earthquake was an unexpected wake-up alarm on Thanksgiving morning. The earthquake was felt across the south-central part of the state and as far away as Fairbanks, 245 miles to the north, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.
For some residents, the morning shake was a reminder of a powerful quake that also struck near Anchorage in late November, at a similar time of the morning, seven years ago. The 2018 earthquake was 7.1 in magnitude and crippled infrastructure in the southern part of the state.
Aftershocks in the region
An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same general area. Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.
Quakes and aftershocks within 100 miles
Aftershocks can occur days, weeks or even years after the first earthquake. These events can be of equal or larger magnitude to the initial earthquake, and they can continue to affect already damaged locations.
When quakes and aftershocks occurred
Source: United States Geological Survey | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Alaska time. Shake data is as of Thursday, Nov. 27 at 12:26 p.m. Eastern. Aftershocks data is as of Thursday, Nov. 27 at 11:42 p.m. Eastern.
Maps: Daylight (urban areas); MapLibre (map rendering); Natural Earth (roads, labels, terrain); Protomaps (map tiles)
As seismologists review available data for Thursday’s initial quake, they may revise the earthquake’s reported magnitude. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.
