Is there a big earthquake coming to Alaska?

Is Alaska About to Rumble? What You Need to Know About Earthquakes

Let’s face it, if you live in Alaska, you know earthquakes are part of the deal. It’s not a question of if a big one will hit, but when. So, what’s the real story? Are we overdue? And what can we actually do about it?

Alaska: Earthquake Central

Alaska’s basically the earthquake capital of the U.S., and a major player on the world stage too. Seriously, we’re talking about 11% of the world’s earthquakes happening right here! That’s because we’re sitting right on top of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate is constantly grinding its way under the North American Plate. This massive collision zone, called the Alaska-Aleutian Megathrust, stretches for a whopping 2,500 miles. Think of it like two giant tectonic plates in a slow-motion wrestling match, constantly building up pressure. This pressure doesn’t just vanish; it releases in the form of earthquakes and fuels our chain of active volcanoes. To give you an idea of the speed, the Pacific Plate is moving northwest relative to the North American Plate at a clip of about 5.5+ cm/yr. It might not sound like much, but over time, that adds up to a whole lot of potential energy!

Statistically speaking, since 1900, Alaska gets hit with, on average:

• A “great” earthquake (magnitude 8 or bigger) roughly every 13 years.
• A magnitude 7 to 8 earthquake pretty much every year.
• Six magnitude 6 to 7 earthquakes annually.
• And then, just for good measure, hundreds of smaller ones to keep us on our toes!

Back in 2018, the Alaska Earthquake Center went off the charts with over 54,000 earthquakes recorded in a single year! I mean, that’s like feeling the earth move (literally) every single day. On average, the state has 50-100 earthquakes daily.

The ’64 Quake: A Day We’ll Never Forget

If you talk to any long-time Alaskan, they’ll likely have a story about the Good Friday Earthquake of March 27, 1964. At 5:36 PM, bam! The second-largest earthquake ever recorded shook Southcentral Alaska to its core. This monster, a magnitude 9.2, went on for nearly four and a half minutes. Seriously, imagine the ground rolling and shaking for that long! The fault line ripped open for 600 miles, with the ground shifting up to 60 feet.

The quake and the tsunamis that followed were devastating. Around 139 people lost their lives. The ground cracked open, buildings collapsed, and massive waves crashed ashore. Some parts of the coastline were thrust upwards by as much as 30 feet, while others sank by around 8 feet. Anchorage, even though it was about 75 miles from the epicenter, took a terrible beating. It’s a stark reminder of the raw power of nature.

Earthquake Prediction: Are We There Yet?

Okay, so here’s the million-dollar question: can we actually predict when the next big earthquake is coming? The honest answer is, not yet. Scientists can’t pinpoint the exact time, location, and magnitude of future earthquakes. But they can give us probabilities and forecasts about ground shaking in certain areas.

For example, researchers at UAF are using some pretty cool tech, like machine learning, to sift through decades of earthquake data from Alaska and California. They’re looking for subtle patterns that might hint at a big one brewing. Apparently, this algorithm has picked up on some weird low-magnitude seismic activity a few months before major quakes. It’s not a crystal ball, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Getting Ready for the Inevitable

Look, we can’t stop earthquakes from happening. But we can prepare. The Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission has laid out some goals to help make our state more resilient.

Here’s what you can do to be ready:

• Know your risk: Are you in an earthquake-prone area? What about tsunamis?
• Have a plan: Sit down with your family and figure out what you’ll do in an emergency. Where will you meet? How will you communicate?
• Build a kit: Stock up on essentials like food, water, first aid, a flashlight, and a radio.
• Secure your home: Bolt down heavy furniture, secure appliances, and identify potential hazards.
• Practice! “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it could save your life.
• Stay informed: Keep an eye on official sources for updates and warnings.

Living in Alaska means living with the threat of earthquakes. But by understanding the risks and taking steps to prepare, we can minimize the impact and come out stronger on the other side. It’s not about living in fear, it’s about being prepared and resilient.