M 3.5 Earthquake Strikes Near Larsen Bay, Alaska

Source: USGS · 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 3.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded 13 km west-northwest of Larsen Bay, Alaska, on March 12, 2026, at a depth of 42.8 km.

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 3.5 ml occurred on March 12, 2026, at 11:00:01 UTC. The seismic event was recorded at a depth of 42.8 km and is classified as a routine geological occurrence for the region.

Location Details

The epicenter was located at coordinates 57.579°N, 154.184°W, approximately 13 km west-northwest of Larsen Bay, Alaska. The depth of 42.8 km indicates an intermediate-depth earthquake, as it falls within the 20-70 km range.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS data, there are currently no felt reports associated with this event. No tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued (tsunami: 0). The event recorded a Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of 2.707, and no alert level color has been assigned.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. While they are often felt by residents near the epicenter, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents in seismic zones are encouraged to maintain standard safety kits and be aware that aftershocks are a common occurrence following initial seismic activity.

Source

Data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this USGS earthquake report.

What is this USGS earthquake report about?
A minor 3.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded 13 km west-northwest of Larsen Bay, Alaska, on March 12, 2026, at a depth of 42.8 km.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by USGS. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "low" severity. No immediate action required, but stay aware.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Alaska. Check with USGS for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Earthquakes updates?
Browse the full Earthquakes feed on Areazine at areazine.com/earthquakes/ for the latest updates from USGS and other agencies.