M2.8 Earthquake 6 km N of Houston, Alaska — January 16, 2026
2026-01-16 16:02:48 UTC (2026-01-16) · approx. 6:02 AM UTC-10 local
On January 16, 2026 at 16:02 UTC, a magnitude 2.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 6 km N of Houston, Alaska, at a depth of 27.0 km and coordinates 61.6910°, -149.7940°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 2.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 52 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 1 citizen response to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
-149.7940°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 2.8 earthquake near Houston, Alaska?
The magnitude 2.8 earthquake that struck 6 km N of Houston, Alaska on January 16, 2026 at 16:02 UTC had a depth of 27.0 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 2.8 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.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 2.8 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: ak2026bctuwt). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 16, 2026). M2.8 Earthquake 6 km N of Houston, Alaska — January 16, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/ak2026bctuwt/