M 3.0 Earthquake Recorded 70 km South of Kaktovik, Alaska

What Happened

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 ml occurred on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 10:15 PM UTC (2:15 PM local time in Alaska). The event was centered approximately 70 kilometers south of Kaktovik, Alaska, and was recorded by the USGS.

Location Details

The seismic event was located at coordinates 69.497°N and 143.546°W. The earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 7.5 kilometers. In seismology, depths of less than 20 kilometers are considered shallow; such events are often more likely to be felt by residents near the epicenter than deeper earthquakes, though their impact remains localized.

Impact Assessment

There are currently no felt reports associated with this event. According to the USGS data, there is no tsunami advisory, watch, or threat in effect. No alert level color has been assigned to this routine seismic activity, and there are no reports of damage or injuries.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with a magnitude between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as “minor.” While they are frequently felt by people in the immediate vicinity, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents in the region should be aware that aftershocks are a natural occurrence following seismic activity, though they are typically smaller in magnitude than the initial event.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.