4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 37 km WNW of False Pass, AlaskaMay 17, 2024

2024-05-17 15:03:34 UTC (2024-05-17) · approx. 4:03 AM UTC-11 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time15:03 UTC4:03 AM UTC-11
Depth146.2 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates55.017°, -163.930°
Felt by1DYFI response· max MMI 2.6
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 17, 2024 at 15:03 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 37 km WNW of False Pass, Alaska, at a depth of 146.2 km and coordinates 55.0174°, -163.9303°. The earthquake was reported felt by 1 personacross nearby locations, with a maximum shaking intensity of Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) 2.6 (weak).

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 55.02°, -163.93°

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.

USGS ShakeMap intensity contours for the M4.2 earthquake near 37 km WNW of False Pass, Alaska

Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS

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.

USGS DYFI community-reported intensity map for the M4.2 earthquake near 37 km WNW of False Pass, Alaska

Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
146.2 km
intermediate depth
Location
55.0174°N
-163.9303°E
Felt Reports
1
DYFI responses
Intensity (MMI)
2.6
weak
Community Intensity
4.1
CDI from reports

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000mz7b
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
272
Stations Used
64
Azimuthal Gap
38.0°
Min Station Distance
0.210°
RMS Residual
0.71 sec
Last Updated
2024-07-26 23:58:11 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near False Pass, Alaska?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 37 km WNW of False Pass, Alaska on May 17, 2024 at 15:03 UTC had a depth of 146.2 km. It was felt by 1 person with maximum shaking intensity of MMI 2.6 (weak). For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000mz7b). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, May 17, 2024). M4.2 Earthquake 37 km WNW of False Pass, AlaskaMay 17, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000mz7b/