Anchorage Alaska Earthquake Reported by Information Center

The Alaskan Earthquake Information Center reported that a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck near the Cook Inlet region of Alaska at around 1:24 PM AKDT today. The quake was located at a depth of about 25 miles below the surface. The epicenter was located about 13 miles west-southwest of Anchorage along a fault in the Cook Inlet. This could be the same fault that produced the powerful 7.0 quake that struck in 1933.

Alaskan Aftershocks in Anchorage
Since the 4.9 Magnitude quake this afternoon, numerous aftershocks have been reported all throughout the Cook Inlet region by the Alaskan Earthquake Information Center. Most of the aftershocks ranged between 1 and 2 on the Richter Scale. However, there was a 2.8 magnitude quake that was recorded at 2:45 PM AKDT.

Are Earthquakes Common in Alaska?
Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Alaskan Region. They occur in greater frequency than even the amount of earthquakes that are measure in California. Most of the earthquakes that occur in Alaska are along faults that criss-cross the ocean floor. Many of these quakes are not reported by media outlets since people are not effected.

Alaskan Faults: Which one causes the biggest Earthquakes?
There are some significant faults that run through the interior of Alaska. For example, the Denali Fault runs along the Alaskan range. The Denali Fault produced a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in 2002. This quake caused a rupture and the ground moved as much as 29 feet in some places.

Another long and substantial fault runs along the Aleutian Island chain. It is here that the Pacific Plate is pushing northward and being forced under the Alaskan Plate along a line thousands of mile long. Since the Pacific Plate is moving perpendicularly to the Alaskan Plate, there is a substantial amount of earthquake activity along this line. Many of the stronger earthquakes along this region have magnitudes that are measured above 8.0 on the Richter Scale. This is also one of the volcanically active places in the world. Nearly all of the islands in the Aleutian change were created by a volcano, or an upward thrust of the earth along this zone.

Earthquake in Alaska Today
What is interesting about the quake that occurred today, is that it happened along a smaller fault line within the Cook Inlet. Today's earthquake in Alaska was located 26 miles below the surface. Since this Alaskan earthquake was so deep, it was felt by a large number of people in and around the city of Anchorage. Did you feel the earthquake in Alaska today. I'd be interested in hearing about it, so feel free to drop a line in the comments section.

Source:Alaskan Earthquake Information Center Website