M3.0 Earthquake 101 km SSE of King Cove, Alaska — May 8, 2026
2026-05-08 16:24:40 UTC (11 hours ago) · approx. 5:24 AM UTC-11 local
On May 8, 2026 at 16:24 UTC, a magnitude 3.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 101 km SSE of King Cove, Alaska, at a depth of 3.4 km and coordinates 54.2110°, -161.7620°.
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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred 26 days ago 94 km SE of False Pass, Alaska. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 11 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-161.7620°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.0 earthquake near King Cove, Alaska?
The magnitude 3.0 earthquake that struck 101 km SSE of King Cove, Alaska on May 8, 2026 at 16:24 UTC had a depth of 3.4 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 3.0 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 94 km SE of False Pass, Alaska. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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 3.0 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: aka2026jbvpzp). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 8, 2026). M3.0 Earthquake 101 km SSE of King Cove, Alaska — May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/aka2026jbvpzp/