M3.1 Earthquake 64 km ESE of Atka, Alaska — May 1, 2026
2026-05-01 19:44:32 UTC (2026-05-01) · approx. 7:44 AM UTC-12 local
On May 1, 2026 at 19:44 UTC, a magnitude 3.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 64 km ESE of Atka, Alaska, at a depth of 62.8 km and coordinates 51.9121°, -173.3867°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 83 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 29 days ago 98 km SE of Atka, Alaska. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 67 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-173.3867°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.1 earthquake near Atka, Alaska?
The magnitude 3.1 earthquake that struck 64 km ESE of Atka, Alaska on May 1, 2026 at 19:44 UTC had a depth of 62.8 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 3.1 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 3.1 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 98 km SE of Atka, Alaska. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 3.1 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000sw15). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 1, 2026). M3.1 Earthquake 64 km ESE of Atka, Alaska — May 1, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sw15/