M3.8 Earthquake 43 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska — January 16, 2026
2026-01-16 18:35:41 UTC (2026-01-16) · approx. 9:35 AM UTC-9 local
On January 16, 2026 at 18:35 UTC, a magnitude 3.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 43 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska, at a depth of 1.7 km and coordinates 58.3640°, -137.0140°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 7.6 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 252 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
ShakeMap — predicted shaking intensity
Modeled ground-motion intensity contoured on the Modified Mercalli scale (MMI). Computed by the USGS from the moment-tensor solution and regional ground-motion prediction equations.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS
Earthquake Details
-137.0140°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.8 earthquake near Elfin Cove, Alaska?
The magnitude 3.8 earthquake that struck 43 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska on January 16, 2026 at 18:35 UTC had a depth of 1.7 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 3.8 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 3.8 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: ak2026bcyvlu). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 16, 2026). M3.8 Earthquake 43 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska — January 16, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/ak2026bcyvlu/