3.1

M3.1 Earthquake 116 km SSW of McCarthy, AlaskaSeptember 21, 2025

2025-09-21 16:54:58 UTC (2025-09-21) · approx. 6:54 AM UTC-10 local

MagnitudeM3.1(ml)
Time16:54 UTC6:54 AM UTC-10
Depth7.1 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates60.424°, -143.478°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 21, 2025 at 16:54 UTC, a magnitude 3.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 116 km SSW of McCarthy, Alaska, at a depth of 7.1 km and coordinates 60.4236°, -143.4780°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 83 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 60.42°, -143.48°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.1 ml
Depth
7.1 km
shallow crustal
Location
60.4236°N
-143.4780°E

Technical Information

Event ID
ak025c4vq963
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
148
RMS Residual
0.74 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-06 16:00:26 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.1 earthquake near McCarthy, Alaska?

The magnitude 3.1 earthquake that struck 116 km SSW of McCarthy, Alaska on September 21, 2025 at 16:54 UTC had a depth of 7.1 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.1 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: ak025c4vq963). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 21, 2025). M3.1 Earthquake 116 km SSW of McCarthy, AlaskaSeptember 21, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/ak025c4vq963/