Alaska has recently been rattled by a significant 5.0 magnitude earthquake, mere days after the remnants of Typhoon Halong unleashed a record storm surge on the state’s western shores.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the quake’s occurrence at 11:48 a.m. ET, situated approximately 39 miles off the coast of Akutan. This island community, which houses nearly 1,600 residents, is notably home to North America’s largest fish processing plant, handling millions of pounds of seafood daily.
Reports of tremors have been pouring in, with more than a dozen individuals already notifying the USGS, and the number continues to rise.
The earthquake originated along the Aleutian Arc, a region known for its chain of both active and dormant volcanoes.
This recent seismic event in the southern part of Alaska coincides with the ongoing evacuation efforts in the northwestern region, where thousands are being airlifted to safety following the natural disasters.
The seismic activity to the south comes as thousands of people living in the northwestern region of Alaska are being airlifted to safety.
The record storm surge battered their low-lying communities over the weekend, wiping away homes and killing at least one person. Two others are missing.
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were among the hardest hit, with homes completely demolished and submerged.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the quake at 11:48am ET, about 39 miles off the coast of Akutan, which is home to nearly 1,600 people
The seismic activity to the south comes as thousands of people living in the northwestern region of Alaska are being airlifted to safety
The Aleutian Arc marks the region where the Pacific Plate subducts into the mantle beneath the North American Plate.
It is a seismically active region, evidenced by the thousands of earthquakes occurring each year.
While the earthquake hit nearly 40 miles offshore, the shock waves were strong enough to reach Dutch Harbor, a harbor on Amaknak Island in Unalaska.
Dutch Harbor serves as a crucial center for the largest US and one of the world’s largest sustainable fisheries, the Alaska pollock fishery.
It is also an important international shipping hub due to its ice-free status and proximity to major Pacific Rim routes.
Typhoon Halong was moving in the Pacific near Japan last week, which would have been equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane should it have made landfall.
The typhoon remnants ripped through Alaska on Sunday, unleashing water levels more than six feet above the highest normal tide line in some areas.
However, remnants of the storm rippled across the Pacific and fueled turbulent weather heading toward Alaska.
In one of the most significant airlifts in Alaska’s history, hundreds were flown about 500 miles to Anchorage, after a shelter in the regional hub city of Bethel was filled with dozens of evacuees
As it moves into the North Pacific, the fast-moving jet stream absorbs the typhoon’s energy, intensifying storms along the storm track.
This phenomenon, caused by ‘recurving typhoons,’ can send far-reaching effects across the ocean.
In one of the most significant airlifts in Alaska’s history, hundreds were flown about 500 miles to Anchorage, after a shelter in the regional hub city of Bethel was filled with dozens of evacuees.
In Kwigillingok, the US Coast Guard rescued two dozen people from their homes after the structures floated out to sea in high water.
The coastal village of Kipnuk was among those hit the hardest. Pictured is the community before the typhoon
Officials on Thursday said 121 homes were destroyed in Kipnuk (pictured after the typhoon), but all people have been accounted for
Ella Mae Kashatok, 67, was found dead in Kwigillingok, and authorities on Monday night called off the search for two men, Chester Kashatok, 41, and Vernon Pavil, 71, after their home was swept away.
Officials on Thursday said 121 homes were destroyed in Kipnuk, but all people have been accounted for.
Cellphone service had been restored in Kwigillingok by Thursday, authorities said, and restrooms were operational at the school there, where about 350 people had sheltered overnight Tuesday.
Damage was also serious in other villages. Water, sewer and well systems were inoperable in Napaskiak, according to a statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson with the state emergency management office, said he did not know how long the evacuation would take, explaining that authorities were looking for additional shelters.
The aim is to get people from congregate shelters into hotel rooms or dormitories, he said.
