3.1

M3.1 Earthquake 104 km ESE of McCarthy, AlaskaJanuary 29, 2026

2026-01-29 18:36:52 UTC (2026-01-29) · approx. 9:36 AM UTC-9 local

MagnitudeM3.1(ml)
Time18:36 UTC9:36 AM UTC-9
Depth1.7 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates61.254°, -141.001°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On January 29, 2026 at 18:36 UTC, a magnitude 3.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 104 km ESE of McCarthy, Alaska, at a depth of 1.7 km and coordinates 61.2540°, -141.0010°.

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 61.25°, -141.00°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.1 ml
Depth
1.7 km
shallow crustal
Location
61.2540°N
-141.0010°E

Technical Information

Event ID
ak2026cavjbs
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
148
Stations Used
14
Azimuthal Gap
154.0°
Min Station Distance
0.400°
RMS Residual
0.40 sec
Last Updated
2026-01-30 12:07:01 UTC

Common Questions

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

The magnitude 3.1 earthquake that struck 104 km ESE of McCarthy, Alaska on January 29, 2026 at 18:36 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 3.1 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: ak2026cavjbs). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 29, 2026). M3.1 Earthquake 104 km ESE of McCarthy, AlaskaJanuary 29, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/ak2026cavjbs/