Anchorage, Alaska, experienced its most substantial earthquake in years on Thanksgiving morning, with a magnitude 6.0 tremor shaking the region. The USGS confirmed the event occurred at 8:11 a.m. local time, centered about 12 kilometers west-northwest of Susitna, situated about 108 kilometers from Anchorage. This seismic activity is the strongest to hit south-central Alaska since 2021.
Despite the quake’s intensity, initial assessments indicate minimal impacts on infrastructure and public safety. The earthquake originated at a depth of 69 kilometers (43 miles). Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance stated on social media that preliminary inspections revealed no damage to critical public infrastructure. Importantly, the United States Tsunami Warning System quickly ruled out any risk of a tsunami.
Occurring on a holiday, the earthquake prompted many residents to humorously refer to the day as ‘Shakesgiving.’ Alaska, a state renowned for its seismic volatility and situated in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones, frequently experiences significant tremors. This M6.0 event follows a M6.1 quake in 2021 and highlights the state’s ongoing seismic risks, with yearly occurrences of magnitude 7 earthquakes being common.