Strong Earthquake Shakes Southwestern Alaska
Date: May 9, 2025 Time: 20:18:41 AKDT Magnitude: 6.0
An earthquake struck near the Yakutat microplate in southwestern Alaska on May 9, 2025, measuring 6.0 in magnitude at a depth of 10.0 miles (16 km). The epicenter was located approximately 61 miles northwest of Icy Bay and 64 miles south of McCarthy, with significant distances from nearby locations like Chitina and Cordova.
This region is characterized by ongoing seismic activity linked to the complex tectonic interactions of the Yakutat microplate, which has been migrating northward via transform faults, colliding with Alaska’s continental margin. The Yakutat area is no stranger to major seismic events, having experienced significant earthquakes in the past, including the M8.1 and M8.2 events of 1899 that caused substantial landform changes, such as a remarkable uplift of up to 40 feet and land subsidence of 6 feet.
The 1958 M7.7 Lituya Bay earthquake is another significant historical event, notorious for generating a catastrophic tsunami wave of 1,720 feet high due to a massive landslide triggered by the quake. The vicinity also witnessed the 1972 M7.4 Saint Elias Earthquake. More recent strong earthquakes, including M7.7 and M7.8 events in 1987 and 1988 respectively, have indicated that this seismically active area experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually, predominantly shallow in nature.
Given the high level of seismicity, continued monitoring by seismologists is essential to better understand and respond to potential future events.
Source
Photo credit earthquake.alaska.edu
