M 3.1 Earthquake Recorded 193 km South of Nikolski, Alaska
Areazine synthesizes this USGS earthquake report directly from USGS's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
A minor 3.1 magnitude earthquake occurred south of Nikolski, Alaska, on February 21, 2026. The event was recorded at an intermediate depth of 20 kilometers.
What this USGS earthquake report tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by USGS on April 6, 2026 and geographically references Alaska. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Earthquakes - determines the monitoring protocol behind it, which shapes what follow-up action (checking for structural damage, watching for aftershocks, reviewing local building codes) is relevant and which agency holds authority over the assessment.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are earthquake, seismic, usgs, Alaska.
What Happened
A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.1 ml was recorded 193 km south of Nikolski, Alaska. The seismic event occurred on February 21, 2026, at 20:55:52 UTC. The earthquake originated at a depth of 20 km.
Location Details
The earthquake was centered at coordinates 51.223°N and 169.3°W, approximately 193 kilometers south of Nikolski. The recorded depth of 20 km is classified as an intermediate-depth earthquake (20-70 km), which typically results in less intense surface shaking compared to shallower events.
Impact Assessment
According to USGS data, there are no felt reports associated with this event. No tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued. No alert level color has been assigned, as the event represents routine seismic activity for the Aleutian Islands region.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. While these events are frequently captured by seismic networks, they are rarely felt by the public and typically do not cause any structural damage. Residents in seismically active regions like Alaska are encouraged to maintain standard earthquake preparedness.
Source
Information and data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
Related Earthquakes
All Earthquakes →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this USGS earthquake report.