Alaska Faces Recent Earthquake Activity
Date: May 18, 2025
Time: 08:53:47 AKDT (16:53:47 UTC)
On May 18, 2025, a significant earthquake measuring an unspecified magnitude struck near the Yakutat Block in Alaska at a depth of 11.1 miles (17 km). The epicenter of this tectonic event was located approximately 53 miles east of Cape Yakataga and 55 miles northwest of Yakutat, among other locations.
The Yakutat microplate, which plays a vital role in this region’s seismic activity, has been adding complexity to the geological landscape of southern Alaska. This microplate was moved northward along transform faults and eventually encountered Alaska’s continental margin, leading to ongoing seismic interactions. This area is known for its seismic belt and has experienced notable earthquakes, including the great earthquakes of 1899, which significantly altered local landforms, and the 1958 Lituya Bay Earthquake, which generated a tsunami wave towering 1,720 feet due to a massive landslide.
The most recent major seismic event in the region occurred in 1972, with a magnitude of 7.4. In the broader Gulf of Alaska area, various significant earthquakes, including those in 1987 and 1988, resulted in substantial ground motions felt across the southeast and southern Alaska coast. Generally, this region exhibits a high level of seismic activity, with hundreds of earthquakes recorded annually, primarily shallow in nature.
This recent earthquake remains unreviewed by seismologists and serves as a reminder of the geological dynamism and risks associated with living in seismically active zones.
Source
Photo credit earthquake.alaska.edu
