M 3.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Sutton-Alpine, 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 3.6 magnitude earthquake was reported 4 km northeast of Sutton-Alpine, Alaska, on March 23, 2026. The shallow event was felt by dozens of residents.
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 near Sutton-Alpine, Alaska. The seismic event was recorded on March 23, 2026, at 04:46:26 UTC.
Location Details
The earthquake's epicenter was located at coordinates 61.808°N and 148.696°W, approximately 4 km northeast of Sutton-Alpine. The event occurred at a depth of 19.3 km. In geological terms, depths less than 20 km are considered shallow, which can sometimes make the shaking more noticeable to those nearby despite a lower magnitude.
Impact Assessment
As of the latest data, there have been 28 felt reports submitted by residents in the region. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect for this event. No specific alert level color has been assigned, and there are no reports of damage or injuries associated with this routine seismic activity.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. While these events are frequently felt by people in the immediate vicinity, they rarely cause damage to buildings or infrastructure. Residents should be aware that minor aftershocks are a possibility following any seismic event, though they typically decrease in frequency and intensity over time.
Source
Data and attribution provided by the USGS.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
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