Minor M 3.4 Earthquake Strikes Near Kaktovik, Alaska

What Happened

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 ml was recorded on March 1, 2026, at 07:43:08 UTC. The event was centered approximately 65 km south-southwest of Kaktovik, Alaska. The earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 13.9 kilometers.

Location Details

The seismic event was located at coordinates 69.558°N and 143.993°W. The depth of 13.9 km classifies this as a shallow earthquake. Shallow earthquakes, defined as those occurring at depths less than 20 km, are typically more noticeable at the surface than deeper events, though a magnitude 3.4 is generally considered minor in intensity.

Impact Assessment

Based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), there are currently no felt reports associated with this event. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect. The recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) was 3.04, which corresponds to shaking that is generally only felt by a few people at rest.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. These are routine geological events in seismically active regions like Alaska; while they may be felt, they rarely cause damage. Residents are reminded that aftershocks are possible following seismic activity, though they are typically lower in magnitude than the primary event.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.