Magnitude 7.0 earthquake rattles remote Alaska–Canada border region
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck a remote, sparsely populated area near the border between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon territory on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The quake struck around 11:41 a.m. Alaska Time, at a shallow depth of just under 6 miles (≈ 10 kilometres). The epicentre was located approximately 230 miles (370 km) northwest of Juneau, Alaska and 155 miles (250 km) west of Whitehorse, Yukon.
Nearby communities include Yakutat, Alaska (≈ 56 miles away; population ~662) and Haines Junction, Yukon (≈ 80 miles away; population ~1,018 as of 2022).
What we know so far
- Eyewitnesses in places like Whitehorse reported feeling the quake — describing rattling, and “things falling off shelves and walls.”
- Despite its strength, there have been no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries.
- The area affected is largely remote and mountainous, with few residents — a factor likely reducing the risk of major harm.
Seismic details & aftershocks
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Alaska Earthquake Center, the quake occurred on what appears to be a northern strand of the known Fairweather Fault System.
Following the mainshock, there were dozens of aftershocks recorded — multiple events in the magnitude 4 to 5 range within the first couple of hours.
Despite the magnitude, the National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Alaska, the U.S. West Coast or British Columbia.
Why the impact was limited
The region struck by the quake is mountainous and extremely sparsely populated, which greatly reduces the likelihood of widespread damage or casualties from such a strong seismic event.
Moreover, because the quake was shallow but inland (rather than under the open ocean), it did not generate conditions likely to cause tsunami waves.
Still — even though no structural damage has been confirmed — residents in the broader region felt shaking, prompting emergency services to receive calls and begin follow-up checks.
What’s next
Seismologists are continuing to monitor aftershocks and assessing the full extent of the rupture zone, which may span several tens of miles along the Fairweather Fault.
At present, while the shaking was widely felt and reports came in from multiple communities, there is no evidence of major damage or injuries — a relief considering the quake’s strength.
📰 We’ll keep tracking official updates for any late reports of structural damage, long-term geological assessments, or relevant alerts for the region.
