M 5.5 Moderate Earthquake Strikes Near Attu Station, 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 moderate 5.5 magnitude earthquake occurred 217 km east-southeast of Attu Station, Alaska, on February 25, 2026, at a shallow depth of 1 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 "medium" 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 moderate earthquake measuring M 5.5 Mi occurred on February 25, 2026, at 23:46:43 UTC. The seismic event was located approximately 217 km east-southeast of Attu Station, Alaska. The earthquake has been reviewed by seismologists at the USGS.
Location Details
The earthquake occurred at coordinates 51.997°N and 176.071°E. The event was recorded at a depth of 1 km. This is classified as a shallow earthquake; seismic events occurring at depths of less than 20 km are typically felt more intensely by those near the epicenter than deeper quakes.
Impact Assessment
The earthquake reached a Maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of 3.618. According to the source data, the tsunami status is 1, indicating that a tsunami advisory, watch, or information statement was issued following the event. There are currently no felt reports available in the dataset, and no specific reports of damage or injuries have been confirmed.
What You Should Know
Moderate earthquakes (M 5.0-5.9) are capable of causing damage to poorly constructed buildings, though well-built structures usually sustain little to no damage. Residents in the Aleutian Islands region should be prepared for the possibility of aftershocks, which are common following an event of this magnitude.
Source
Data and event details provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
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