Magnitude 7.0 earthquake 58 miles north of Yakutat shakes Juneau

More than 20 aftershocks reported within 90 minutes; no tsunami threat to the Juneau area, officials say

A map shows the epicenter of an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 that occurred Saturday morning north of Yakutat. (U.S. Geological Survey)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

This is a developing story.

An earthquake with a reported magnitude of 7.0 occurred at about 11:42 a.m. Saturday 55 miles north of Yakutat, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake caused notable shaking for at least 30 seconds at the main terminal at Juneau International Airport, where Juneau Assembly members and other city leaders are meeting for their annual retreat. Deputy City Manager Robert Barr read an announcement to the room a few minutes later that the National Weather Service Juneau has determined there is no tsunami threat to the area.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of about six miles, according to the USGS.

"More than 20 aftershocks over magnitude 3 have followed the mainshock so far, with the largest aftershocks ranging from M4 to M5.1," the Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks reported in a Facebook post at 1:05 p.m.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, in a post on its Facebook page at about 12:30 p.m., stated the department "is conducting standard post-event inspections of state highways, bridges, airports, and other transportation infrastructure in the region."

"At this time, no major travel impacts are expected," the post notes. "If any issues are identified, updates will be shared here and through Alaska 511 at 511.alaska.gov."

The region is notable for two major earthquakes in Yakutat Bay in September of 1899 with estimated magnitudes of 8.1. and 8.2, according to the UAF Earthquake Center. The center’s website notes the earthquakes "re-arranged landforms in the Yakutat Bay area, resulting in up to 40 feet of uplift and 6 feet of land subsidence."

"Another notable event in this region was the 1958 M7.7 Lituya Bay Earthquake, which ruptured from the head of Yakutat Bay along the entire length of the Fairweather Fault," the website notes. "This earthquake caused a massive landslide that crashed into Lituya Bay, creating a tsunami wave 1,720 feet high."

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.