M3.6 Earthquake 45 km ESE of Akutan, Alaska — February 15, 2026
2026-02-15 17:30:16 UTC (2026-02-15) · approx. 6:30 AM UTC-11 local
On February 15, 2026 at 17:30 UTC, a magnitude 3.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 45 km ESE of Akutan, Alaska, at a depth of 65.1 km and coordinates 53.9511°, -165.1539°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 3.8 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 184 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 5.4 mainshock that occurred 18 days ago 83 km SE of Akutan, Alaska. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 110 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
-165.1539°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.6 earthquake near Akutan, Alaska?
The magnitude 3.6 earthquake that struck 45 km ESE of Akutan, Alaska on February 15, 2026 at 17:30 UTC had a depth of 65.1 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 3.6 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.4 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 3.6 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.4 mainshock that occurred earlier 83 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 3.6 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000s9ep). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 15, 2026). M3.6 Earthquake 45 km ESE of Akutan, Alaska — February 15, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s9ep/