M4.2 Earthquake 70 km SSE of Akutan, Alaska — February 6, 2026
2026-02-06 23:32:15 UTC (2026-02-06) · approx. 12:32 PM UTC-11 local
On February 6, 2026 at 23:32 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 70 km SSE of Akutan, Alaska, at a depth of 42.9 km and coordinates 53.5266°, -165.4615°.
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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.5 mainshock that occurred 22 days ago 84 km SE of Akutan, Alaska. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 113 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
-165.4615°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Akutan, Alaska?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 70 km SSE of Akutan, Alaska on February 6, 2026 at 23:32 UTC had a depth of 42.9 km. 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.5 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.2 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.5 mainshock that occurred earlier 84 km SE of Akutan, 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 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s71y). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 6, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 70 km SSE of Akutan, Alaska — February 6, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s71y/