Earthquakes in Anchorage, Alaska
Last earthquake: 1 hour ago · 341 in past 30 days · Largest: M3.4 · Population 291K
Last updated: August 20, 2026 at 04:20 PM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
Yes — M3.0 earthquake 4 hours ago 22 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. 30 people reported feeling it.
Quick Facts — Earthquakes in Anchorage
- Population
- 291K
- Seismic activity level
- very high
- Nearest major fault
- Castle Mountain Fault (50 km)
- Largest recorded nearby
- M9.2 (1964 Great Alaska earthquake)
- 30-year probability M6.7+
- 90% (NSHM)
- Earthquakes past 30 days
- 341
- Last significant (M2.5+)
- 4 hours ago
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 3404
Anchorage experienced a magnitude 3.0 earthquake 4 hours ago 22 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, at a depth of 15.1 km. Over the past 7 days, 75 earthquakes (M1.0+) have been recorded within 150 km.
Anchorage sits in the very high category for U.S. seismic activity. The largest earthquake in or near Anchorage since records began was the magnitude 9.2 1964 Great Alaska earthquake, which struck approximately 120 km east of the city.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's National Seismic Hazard Model, there is approximately a 90% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of Anchorage in the next 30 years, and a 60% probability of a magnitude 7.0 or greater event. The largest credible earthquake predicted for the Anchorage area is a magnitude 7.5 event on the Castle Mountain Fault, which lies 50 km from downtown Anchorage. Source: USGS Alaska Earthquake Center; USGS NSHM 2023
Anchorage sits in a region characterized by Pacific Plate subduction beneath the North American Plate, producing frequent megathrust and crustal earthquakes along the Aleutian arc. Beyond the Castle Mountain Fault, secondary fault systems include the Aleutian Subduction Zone and Denali Fault. View all earthquakes in Alaska.
2026 Activity vs Historical Average
Recent Significant Earthquakes Near Anchorage
Earthquake Map — Anchorage Area
Fault Lines Near Anchorage
| Fault Name | Type | Distance | Max Credible Mag | Last Major Rupture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Mountain Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 50 km | M7.5 | 1984 (M5.7) |
| Aleutian Subduction Zone | subduction zone | 80 km | M9.2 | 1964 (M9.2 Great Alaska) |
| Denali Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 200 km | M8.0 | 2002 (M7.9) |
| Border Ranges Fault | thrust | 30 km | M7.0 | paleoseismic data limited |
Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)
Dataset at a glance — Anchorage
Over the past 30 days, Anchorage has recorded 341 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. The remaining 36 fell in the M2.5–M3.9 band. By depth: 254 shallow (<70 km), 87 intermediate (70–300 km). 180 of the epicenters were offshore. 83 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 164 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 0.0 km to 122.0 km. 333 of the 341 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist; the remaining 8 are automatic and may be refined.
Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 hours ago 2026-08-20 11:23:12 UTC | 3.0ml | 22 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska 61.169°, -149.246° | 15.1 km | 30 | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
A magnitude 3.0 seismic event took place 22 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska on August 20, 2026 at 11:23 UTC. See the M3.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 hours ago 2026-08-20 10:30:50 UTC | 2.5ml | 40 km W of Tatitlek, Alaska 60.930°, -147.417° | 0.2 km | - | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
On August 20, 2026, Anchorage registered a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 40 km W of Tatitlek, Alaska at 10:30 UTC. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
1 day ago 2026-08-19 06:31:59 UTC | 2.7ml | 23 km NNW of Susitna, Alaska 61.720°, -150.751° | 51.9 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.7 earthquake 23 km NNW of Susitna, Alaska came in on August 19, 2026 at 06:31 UTC. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
1 day ago 2026-08-18 20:56:40 UTC | 2.9ml | 7 km WSW of Point MacKenzie, Alaska 61.332°, -150.110° | 38.1 km | 10 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.9 earthquake 7 km WSW of Point MacKenzie, Alaska with origin time 20:56 UTC on August 18, 2026. See the M2.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
1 day ago 2026-08-18 19:03:12 UTC | 2.9ml | 33 km ESE of Point Possession, Alaska 60.762°, -150.174° | 49.3 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On August 18, 2026, Anchorage registered a magnitude 2.9 earthquake 33 km ESE of Point Possession, Alaska at 19:03 UTC. See the M2.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
3 days ago 2026-08-17 06:50:05 UTC | 2.5ml | 13 km NNE of Fox River, Alaska 59.967°, -150.871° | 15.5 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 06:50 UTC on August 17, 2026, a magnitude 2.5 tremor occurred 13 km NNE of Fox River, Alaska. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
3 days ago 2026-08-17 02:38:34 UTC | 2.7ml | 21 km SSW of Tyonek, Alaska 60.901°, -151.332° | 94.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.7 seismic event took place 21 km SSW of Tyonek, Alaska on August 17, 2026 at 02:38 UTC. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
3 days ago 2026-08-17 00:18:22 UTC | 2.5ml | 44 km W of Tyonek, Alaska 61.119°, -151.962° | 114.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 2.5 earthquake 44 km W of Tyonek, Alaska at 00:18 UTC on August 17, 2026. In the 72 hours after this event, the USGS recorded 3 smaller earthquakes within 20 km, consistent with an ongoing aftershock sequence rooted here. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-08-16 12:54:58 UTC | 3.1ml | 4 km WSW of Point Possession, Alaska 60.908°, -150.766° | 5.8 km | 1 | II | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 12:54 UTC on August 16, 2026, a magnitude 3.1 tremor occurred 4 km WSW of Point Possession, Alaska. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-08-16 05:30:06 UTC | 2.5ml | 3 km WNW of Point MacKenzie, Alaska 61.367°, -150.042° | 38.2 km | 3 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 2.5 event was detected 3 km WNW of Point MacKenzie, Alaska on August 16, 2026, with origin time 05:30 UTC. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-08-15 22:41:30 UTC | 3.4ml | 23 km E of Point Possession, Alaska 60.964°, -150.272° | 49.0 km | 6 | II | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On August 15, 2026 at 22:41 UTC, a magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck 23 km E of Point Possession, Alaska. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Anchorage over the past 30 days. See the M3.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-08-15 06:00:50 UTC | 2.7ml | 0 km WSW of Houston, Alaska 61.628°, -149.830° | 26.9 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
August 15, 2026 brought a magnitude 2.7 earthquake 0 km WSW of Houston, Alaska, logged at 06:00 UTC. See the M2.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-08-14 22:31:34 UTC | 3.0ml | 29 km SW of Hope, Alaska 60.743°, -150.040° | 37.9 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
August 14, 2026 brought a magnitude 3.0 earthquake 29 km SW of Hope, Alaska, logged at 22:31 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M3.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-08-14 20:43:36 UTC | 3.1ml | 21 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska 61.936°, -151.014° | 67.7 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 3.1 earthquake 21 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska at 20:43 UTC on August 14, 2026. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
5 days ago 2026-08-14 16:42:41 UTC | 2.5ml | 23 km SE of Kasilof, Alaska 60.217°, -150.924° | 67.1 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 23 km SE of Kasilof, Alaska came in on August 14, 2026 at 16:42 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
6 days ago 2026-08-14 08:22:17 UTC | 2.6ml | 7 km ENE of Nikiski, Alaska 60.708°, -151.150° | 70.7 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On August 14, 2026 at 08:22 UTC, a magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck 7 km ENE of Nikiski, Alaska. See the M2.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-11 2026-08-11 15:43:57 UTC | 2.5ml | 30 km SW of Trapper Creek, Alaska 62.109°, -150.626° | 10.0 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.5 seismic event took place 30 km SW of Trapper Creek, Alaska on August 11, 2026 at 15:43 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-10 2026-08-10 20:24:56 UTC | 2.5ml | 16 km SE of Lowell Point, Alaska 59.962°, -149.232° | 5.2 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
August 10, 2026 brought a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 16 km SE of Lowell Point, Alaska, logged at 20:24 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-09 2026-08-09 22:57:31 UTC | 2.8ml | 14 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska 61.219°, -149.365° | 2.9 km | 3 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 22:57 UTC on August 9, 2026, a magnitude 2.8 tremor occurred 14 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-09 2026-08-09 20:27:22 UTC | 2.6ml | 49 km E of Susitna North, Alaska 62.239°, -148.911° | 12.7 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.6 earthquake was recorded 49 km E of Susitna North, Alaska on August 9, 2026 at 20:27 UTC. The event was offshore. See the M2.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-06 2026-08-06 09:41:25 UTC | 3.1ml | 36 km WSW of Skwentna, Alaska 61.910°, -152.080° | 122.0 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 3.1 event was detected 36 km WSW of Skwentna, Alaska on August 6, 2026, with origin time 09:41 UTC. This is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — an intermediate depth event. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-06 2026-08-06 05:41:36 UTC | 3.1ml | 16 km SSW of Funny River, Alaska 60.357°, -150.834° | 45.9 km | 1 | I | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 3.1 earthquake 16 km SSW of Funny River, Alaska came in on August 6, 2026 at 05:41 UTC. See the M3.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-06 2026-08-06 02:16:55 UTC | 2.5ml | 30 km NW of Susitna, Alaska 61.759°, -150.855° | 67.7 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On August 6, 2026 at 02:16 UTC, a magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck 30 km NW of Susitna, Alaska. The event was offshore. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-04 2026-08-04 09:45:40 UTC | 3.3ml | 48 km NE of Susitna North, Alaska 62.441°, -149.140° | 60.9 km | 2 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 3.3 earthquake 48 km NE of Susitna North, Alaska with origin time 09:45 UTC on August 4, 2026. The event was offshore. See the M3.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-02 2026-08-02 06:58:29 UTC | 3.4ml | 20 km W of Salamatof, Alaska 60.622°, -151.687° | 79.0 km | 8 | I | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 3.4 earthquake was recorded 20 km W of Salamatof, Alaska on August 2, 2026 at 06:58 UTC. In the 72 hours after this event, the USGS recorded 4 smaller earthquakes within 20 km, consistent with an ongoing aftershock sequence rooted here. See the M3.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-01 2026-08-01 18:31:21 UTC | 2.6ml | 18 km SW of Point Possession, Alaska 60.792°, -150.906° | 60.1 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.6 earthquake 18 km SW of Point Possession, Alaska with origin time 18:31 UTC on August 1, 2026. The event was offshore. See the M2.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-08-01 2026-08-01 11:38:21 UTC | 3.0ml | 38 km SSW of Skwentna, Alaska 61.681°, -151.708° | 96.5 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On August 1, 2026 at 11:38 UTC, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck 38 km SSW of Skwentna, Alaska. See the M3.0 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-31 2026-07-31 16:05:13 UTC | 2.5ml | 7 km W of Funny River, Alaska 60.507°, -150.904° | 2.4 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was recorded 7 km W of Funny River, Alaska on July 31, 2026 at 16:05 UTC. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-30 2026-07-30 08:03:22 UTC | 3.2ml | 33 km SSE of Knik River, Alaska 61.168°, -148.737° | 17.0 km | 15 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On July 30, 2026, Anchorage registered a magnitude 3.2 earthquake 33 km SSE of Knik River, Alaska at 08:03 UTC. See the M3.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-28 2026-07-28 19:24:19 UTC | 2.5ml | 12 km N of Meadow Lakes, Alaska 61.737°, -149.568° | 32.3 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 2.5 earthquake 12 km N of Meadow Lakes, Alaska with origin time 19:24 UTC on July 28, 2026. In the 72 hours after this event, the USGS recorded 3 smaller earthquakes within 20 km, consistent with an ongoing aftershock sequence rooted here. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
Common Questions About Earthquakes in Anchorage
How often do earthquakes happen in Anchorage?
Anchorage experiences frequent earthquake activity. The area averages 250 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per year, with 4 reaching magnitude 5.0 or higher. In the past 30 days, 341 earthquakes (M1.0+) have been recorded within 150 km of the city.
What was the biggest earthquake to hit Anchorage?
The largest earthquake in or near Anchorage since records began was the magnitude 9.2 1964 Great Alaska earthquake in 1964, which struck approximately 120 km east of the city.
What is the earthquake risk in Anchorage?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there is approximately a 90% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of Anchorage in the next 30 years. The most likely source is the Castle Mountain Fault, which has a maximum credible magnitude of 7.5.
What fault lines are near Anchorage?
The Castle Mountain Fault runs approximately 50 km from Anchorage and is the most significant local seismic threat, with a maximum credible magnitude of 7.5. Other nearby faults include the Aleutian Subduction Zone (80 km), the Denali Fault (200 km), the Border Ranges Fault (30 km).
Was there an earthquake in Anchorage today?
Yes — a magnitude 3.0 earthquake was recorded 4 hours ago 22 km ESE of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, within 150 km of Anchorage.
About This Page
This page is maintained by Earthquake Tracker, an independent seismic activity reporting service. Earthquake data is sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program and updated every hour. Probability estimates use the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM 2023). Historical earthquake data is sourced from the USGS Historical Earthquake Catalog. Fault information comes from the USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database and SCEC Community Fault Model.
Last data refresh: August 20, 2026 at 04:20 PM UTC