M 4.2 Light Earthquake Recorded 72 km SW of Nikolski, Alaska

What Happened

A light earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 (mb) occurred on February 24, 2026, at 20:15:49 UTC. The seismic event was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Due to its magnitude, this event is classified as a light earthquake, which typically results in noticeable shaking but rarely causes significant structural damage.

Location Details

The epicenter was located at coordinates 52.512°N and 169.6733°W, approximately 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Nikolski, Alaska. The depth of 10 kilometers is considered shallow; shallow earthquakes (those less than 20km deep) are often felt more strongly than deeper events of the same magnitude because they occur closer to the surface.

Impact Assessment

At the time of this report, there have been no felt reports submitted to the USGS. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect following this event. The USGS recorded a maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of 2.798, which corresponds to weak shaking. No alert level color has been assigned to this routine seismic event.

What You Should Know

Light earthquakes of this magnitude are common in seismically active regions like the Aleutian Islands. While significant damage is unlikely, residents may have felt light vibrations. Aftershocks are a possibility following any seismic event, though they are typically smaller in magnitude than the initial quake. In the event of shaking, remember to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”

Source

Data and event details provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.