Seismic Monitor
Alaska earthquakes today: live seismic activity in North America's most active zone
Use this page to monitor recent earthquakes in Alaska, see where seismic activity is clustering, and explore individual event details.
Recent earthquakes in Alaska
Seismic events sorted by the latest updates with detail links for deeper context.
| Event | Severity |
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Seismic hotspots
Where activity is clustering
About this tracker
Alaska: The Most Seismically Active U.S. State
Alaska experiences more earthquakes than any other U.S. state — and it's not close. The state accounts for roughly 52% of all earthquakes recorded in the United States. The Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate dives beneath the North American Plate, generates thousands of earthquakes annually, including regular magnitude 5+ events and occasional magnitude 7+ events.
The 1964 Great Alaska earthquake (M9.2) remains the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America and the second-largest earthquake in the world since 1900. It generated a destructive tsunami and was felt across 1.3 million square kilometers. More recently, the 2018 Anchorage earthquake (M7.1) caused significant damage to roads and buildings, and the 2021 Chignik earthquake (M8.2) was the largest U.S. earthquake in 50 years.
Follow Alaska's intense seismic activity on our real-time earthquake tracker and see how it compares to other seismic zones on the live world map.
Understanding the Alaska-Aleutian Subduction Zone
The Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone stretches over 3,400 kilometers from the Gulf of Alaska westward along the Aleutian Islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Pacific Plate is being pushed beneath the North American Plate at about 6 centimeters per year — one of the fastest convergence rates on Earth — making this one of the most prolific earthquake-generating zones on the planet.
Different segments of this zone rupture independently, and seismologists have identified "seismic gaps" — sections that have not produced major earthquakes in a long time and are building stress. The Shumagin Gap partially ruptured in 2020 (M7.8), but other segments remain potential sites for future large earthquakes. The Cascadia and Alaska subduction zones together define the northern and eastern margins of the "Ring of Fire."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many earthquakes does Alaska have per day?
Alaska averages about 50 earthquakes per day, though most are too small to be felt. The state records roughly 40,000 earthquakes per year, with about 1,000 reaching magnitude 3.0 or higher and several dozen reaching magnitude 5.0+.
Is Alaska overdue for a major earthquake?
Several segments of the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone are considered capable of producing magnitude 8+ earthquakes. The 2021 Chignik M8.2 earthquake partially relieved stress on one segment, but other segments, particularly near the central Aleutians, have not ruptured in over a century.
Why does Alaska have so many earthquakes?
Alaska sits on the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone where the Pacific Plate is diving beneath the North American Plate at about 6 cm per year — one of the fastest convergence rates on Earth. This constant plate motion generates enormous stress that releases as earthquakes.
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Last updated 3/15/2026, 1:04:38 PM