A magnitude 2.0 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula, located 22 miles southeast of Roundtop Mountain, at a depth of 49.4 miles. The event, which occurred on April 7, 2024, was reviewed by a seismologist. While this earthquake was not strong enough to cause any significant damage, it serves as a reminder of the tectonic activity in the region.
The Alaska Peninsula region is known for its seismic activity, with earthquakes being generated by various tectonic features. The Aleutian megathrust is responsible for some of the strongest earthquakes in the area, with recent examples including the 2020 M7.8 Simeonof Earthquake and the 2021 M8.2 Chignik Earthquake. While these earthquakes did not result in damaging tsunamis, historical records show that tsunamis have occurred in the past.
Intermediate depth seismicity occurs in the Wadati-Benioff Zone, where the subducting Pacific Plate descends beneath the North American Plate. The Aleutian-Alaska Wadati-Benioff Zone produces thousands of earthquakes each year, with notable examples being the 1999 M7.0 and the 2001 M6.9 earthquakes on Kodiak Island.
Overall, the Alaska Peninsula region experiences a high level of seismic activity due to its tectonic setting, including the Aleutian megathrust, Wadati-Benioff Zone, and crustal seismicity associated with the Kodiak Shelf Fault Zone and volcanic arc. While most earthquakes are too small to be felt, larger events like the 1912 Novarupta eruption have caused significant damage in the past.
Source
Photo credit earthquake.alaska.edu
