Alaska Earthquake 2013: Aleutian Islands
Alaska — An earthquake struck off the shore of the Aleutian Islands on Friday morning. The powerful quake was recorded at a magnitude of 7.0. The epicenter was around 60 miles from the islands.
As reported by Anchorage Daily News, the initial quake was followed by several aftershocks. The largest was recorded at a 4.9 magnitude.
Residents in Atka and Adak Alaska were affected by the earthquake.
Island resident Kathleen Nevzoroff was working at her computer when the earthquake struck. She says she heard deep rumbling before she actually felt the quake.
Debra Sharrah reports a similar experience. She says she thought the noise was coming from her dog. However, the noise continued to grow louder.
When the building started to shake, Sharrah took her dog and ran outside. Neither she or her dog were injured.
The Alaska earthquake was felt by most of the islands’ residents. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
Officials with the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center are monitoring the situation.
Specialist Michael Burgy explains that a tsunami warning has not been issued. However, landslides remain a concern.
Burgy says that landslides above or below the Pacific Ocean could potentially cause a tsunami. However, it is unlikely.
The Alaska Earthquake Information Center reports that the initial earthquake lasted around 60 seconds. The first quake’s center was around 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage.
As reported by Decoded Science, Alaska is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The ring is one of “the most seismically active areas of the world.”
The ring is located along a trench where the Pacific and North American plates meet. Earthquakes are quite common along the trench as the plates build and release pressure.
Alaska earthquakes are common. However, they are rarely destructive. On August 30 alone, 43 earthquakes were recorded within a period of 10 hours.
In 2013, Alaska has seen 10 earthquakes that were 7.0 or higher.
[Image via Wikimedia]
