A 3.2 magnitude earthquake struck offshore southwest of Akhiok, Alaska, on Monday morning, shaking a remote part of the Gulf of Alaska and prompting an automatic review by the Alaska Earthquake Center. The quake hit at 8:53 a.m. AKDT, or 16:53 UTC, and was centered about 147 kilometers southwest of the town.
The earthquake originated at a depth of 45.2 kilometers beneath the Gulf of Alaska. There were no immediate reports of shaking-related damage or injuries, and emergency management officials had not issued any alerts or advisories tied to the event.
Alaska records thousands of earthquakes each year, and the Gulf of Alaska is especially active because the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate. That depth may also have kept the shaking from being noticeable in communities across Kodiak Island, including Akhiok and nearby coastal areas.
Even without damage, officials urged residents to review earthquake preparedness plans and identify safe shelter areas indoors. Monday’s quake was minor, but it was another reminder that seismic events remain a routine part of life in this part of Alaska.
