JUNEAU, Alaska – A powerful, magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck in a remote wilderness area near the border between Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon on Saturday. The shallow quake, which struck at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers), was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks.
Officials immediately confirmed there was no tsunami warning and no immediate reports of damage or injury.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicenter approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon.
Shaking Felt Across Yukon
Despite the remote location of the epicenter, the tremor was clearly felt in populated areas.
In Whitehorse, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod confirmed the detachment received two 911 calls about the earthquake. “It definitely was felt,” MacLeod said, noting that many residents confirmed the shaking through social media posts.
Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, said the part of Yukon most affected by the temblor is mountainous and sparsely populated.
“Mostly people have reported things falling off shelves and walls,” Bird said. “It doesn’t seem like we’ve seen anything in terms of structural damage.”
The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter is Haines Junction, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away.
Avalanche Risk Closes Highway
While structural damage has been minimal, the quake has created operational challenges. Following the tremor, Yukon Highways and Public Works announced the closure of the South Klondike Highway (from kilometres 24 to 106) due to an increased avalanche risk. The road is expected to remain closed overnight while officials reassess conditions.
Crews with Yukon Energy are also checking hydro facilities to ensure the earthquake did not impact critical infrastructure.
On the Alaskan side, the earthquake struck about 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Yakutat, which has 662 residents. Seismologists note that earthquakes have been recorded in the same area in 1899, 1979, 2002, and 2017.
