Minor M 3.0 Earthquake Recorded 248 km SW of Yakutat, 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 3.0 magnitude earthquake occurred at an intermediate depth of 52.5 km southwest of Yakutat, Alaska, on March 12, 2026.
What this USGS earthquake report tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by USGS on April 5, 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 3.0 ml was recorded on March 12, 2026, at 17:04:32 UTC. The seismic event was centered approximately 248 km southwest of Yakutat, Alaska.
Location Details
The earthquake's epicenter was located at coordinates 57.917°N and 142.658°W. The event originated at a depth of 52.5 km. In geological terms, this is considered an intermediate-depth earthquake, as it occurred between 20 and 70 km below the surface.
Impact Assessment
There are currently no felt reports associated with this event. According to the USGS data, no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued (tsunami: 0). No alert level color has been assigned to this event, which is consistent with routine seismic activity in the region.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as "minor." While these events are often felt by people near the epicenter, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents in active seismic zones should remain aware of the possibility of aftershocks, although they are typically smaller than the initial event.
Source
Data and attribution provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
Related Earthquakes
All Earthquakes →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this USGS earthquake report.