Alaska and Canada earthquake: 3 strong tremors hit the border, no tsunami threat
The border region between the U.S. state of Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon experienced intense seismic activity on Saturday, with a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake striking the rugged mountainous area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The event garnered significant attention due to the strength of the main quake and the subsequent series of aftershocks.
Details of seismic activity and its location
The main earthquake struck at 8:41 PM GMT, with its epicenter located at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers, which typically increases the tremor felt by residents at the surface. The quake occurred near the coast in a remote area about 250 kilometers west of Whitehorse, the capital of Canada's Yukon Territory, and about 370 kilometers northwest of Juneau, the capital of Alaska.
The matter did not stop at the main tremor, as geological centers recorded remarkable aftershock activity, represented by two strong tremors with magnitudes of 5.6 and 5.3 in the minutes following the first earthquake, indicating a great release of latent energy in the Earth's layers in that region.
Geological context: The Ring of Fire and Plate Tectonics
To understand the nature of this event, one must consider the geological context of the region. Alaska and the west coast of Canada lie within the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region is the most seismically and volcanically active in the world, accounting for approximately 90% of the world's earthquakes. These earthquakes result from the continuous movement of tectonic plates, specifically the interaction between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The sliding or collision of these plates generates immense pressure that is suddenly released in the form of earthquakes, which explains the frequency of such powerful events in this part of the world.
History of earthquakes in the region and their impact
Alaska has a long history of powerful earthquakes and is considered one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the United States. Perhaps the most notable historical event was the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964, which measured 9.2 on the Richter scale and was the second strongest earthquake ever recorded. By comparison, the recent earthquake is considered powerful but far less dangerous, especially since it occurred in a mountainous region with very low population density, significantly reducing the likelihood of significant loss of life or property compared to earthquakes that strike densely populated urban areas.
Absence of tsunami risk
Although the earthquake occurred near the Pacific coast, a location that typically raises concerns about tsunami waves, the US Tsunami Warning Center quickly reassured residents and relevant authorities, confirming that no tsunami warning had been issued. This is likely due to the nature of the seismic activity (which may have been horizontally sliding rather than vertically) or because the specific geographic location of the epicenter did not displace enough ocean water to generate dangerous waves.
