Moderate Quake Shakes Southern Alaska, Felt Across Kenai Peninsula
A moderate earthquake rattled southern Alaska on Thursday morning, causing noticeable shaking across the Kenai Peninsula and even reaching the Anchorage area. According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake registered a magnitude of 5.4 and struck at approximately 9:33 a.m. Alaska Time, or 5:33 p.m. UTC. The epicenter was located about 43 miles southwest of Seward and roughly 110 miles south of Anchorage, at a depth of around 14.6 miles (23 kilometers).
While the tremor was strong enough to be widely felt, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or major damage. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that shaking extended throughout south-central Alaska, including Homer, Seldovia, and Anchor Point. The National Tsunami Warning Center quickly assessed the situation and announced there was no tsunami threat associated with the event.
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Seismologists reviewing the quake explained that it occurred in one of Alaska’s most geologically active regions — an area where several tectonic forces converge. Southern Alaska sits atop the boundary where the Pacific Plate slides beneath the North American Plate, a process known as subduction. This zone has produced some of the most powerful earthquakes in history, including the devastating 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, which measured 9.2 in magnitude and remains the second largest earthquake ever recorded worldwide.
The recent Seward quake, while moderate, serves as a reminder of how dynamic and complex Alaska’s seismic landscape is. Earthquakes here can originate from several sources — deep within the subducting Pacific Plate, along the megathrust boundary itself, or from shallower crustal faults that run beneath populated areas like Anchorage. The Alaska Earthquake Center notes that the Cook Inlet basin and the Castle Mountain Fault have historically generated damaging quakes, including the 1933 M6.9 Anchorage event and the 1984 M5.6 Sutton earthquake.
Even though Thursday’s tremor did not lead to visible destruction, residents across the region reported a few seconds of swaying and light rattling of objects. Many took to social media to share their experiences, confirming that the shaking was felt from the Kenai Peninsula up through Anchorage.
Experts at the Alaska Earthquake Center continue to monitor aftershocks and gather data to understand the quake’s precise mechanics. While Alaska experiences thousands of small earthquakes each year, seismologists emphasize the importance of preparedness, especially in communities sitting along major fault zones.
In short, this 5.4 magnitude quake may not have caused damage, but it once again highlights Alaska’s ever-present seismic activity — a natural reminder that the ground beneath this rugged landscape is always in motion.
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