3.7

M3.7 Earthquake 196 km SW of Nikolski, AlaskaMarch 17, 2026

2026-03-17 19:05:10 UTC (2026-03-17) · approx. 8:05 AM UTC-11 local

MagnitudeM3.7(mb)
Time19:05 UTC8:05 AM UTC-11
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates51.488°, -170.509°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 17, 2026 at 19:05 UTC, a magnitude 3.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck 196 km SW of Nikolski, Alaska, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 51.4878°, -170.5089°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 5.4 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 215 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 51.49°, -170.51°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.7 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
51.4878°N
-170.5089°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000s7w3
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
211
Stations Used
13
Azimuthal Gap
236.0°
Min Station Distance
1.801°
RMS Residual
0.30 sec
Last Updated
2026-03-29 19:43:20 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.7 earthquake near Nikolski, Alaska?

The magnitude 3.7 earthquake that struck 196 km SW of Nikolski, Alaska on March 17, 2026 at 19:05 UTC had a depth of 10.0 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 3.7 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

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.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000s7w3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 17, 2026). M3.7 Earthquake 196 km SW of Nikolski, AlaskaMarch 17, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s7w3/