3.0

M3.0 Earthquake 73 km S of Kaktovik, AlaskaMarch 8, 2026

2026-03-08 22:15:12 UTC (2026-03-08) · approx. 12:15 PM UTC-10 local

MagnitudeM3.0(ml)
Time22:15 UTC12:15 PM UTC-10
Depth7.3 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates69.471°, -143.544°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 8, 2026 at 22:15 UTC, a magnitude 3.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 73 km S of Kaktovik, Alaska, at a depth of 7.3 km and coordinates 69.4710°, -143.5440°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 71 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 69.47°, -143.54°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.0 ml
Depth
7.3 km
shallow crustal
Location
69.4710°N
-143.5440°E

Technical Information

Event ID
aka2026eswerg
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
138
Stations Used
36
Azimuthal Gap
124.0°
Min Station Distance
0.200°
RMS Residual
0.70 sec
Last Updated
2026-03-19 00:35:24 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.0 earthquake near Kaktovik, Alaska?

The magnitude 3.0 earthquake that struck 73 km S of Kaktovik, Alaska on March 8, 2026 at 22:15 UTC had a depth of 7.3 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 3.0 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: aka2026eswerg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 8, 2026). M3.0 Earthquake 73 km S of Kaktovik, AlaskaMarch 8, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/aka2026eswerg/