M 3.6 Earthquake Recorded 81 km South of McCarthy, Alaska
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A minor 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred south of McCarthy, Alaska, on February 16, 2026. The shallow event was recorded at a depth of 0.4 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 3.6 ml occurred on February 16, 2026, at 13:49:29 UTC. The seismic event was centered approximately 81 kilometers (50 miles) south of McCarthy, Alaska. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at an extremely shallow depth of 0.4 kilometers.
Location Details
The earthquake's epicenter was located at coordinates 60.713°N and 143.155°W. The depth of 0.4 km is classified as shallow; in seismology, any event occurring at a depth of less than 70 km is considered shallow, though this specific event occurred very close to the surface.
Impact Assessment
There is currently no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect following this event. At the time of reporting, no felt reports have been submitted to the USGS, and there are no reports of damage or injuries. Based on the magnitude of 3.6, this event is classified as a minor earthquake.
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 damage to buildings or infrastructure. Residents in the region should be aware that aftershocks are possible following seismic activity, though they are typically lower in magnitude than the initial event.
Source
Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
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