A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck a remote region near the border of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon territory on Saturday. Despite the massive strength of the tremor, no tsunami warning has been issued. Authorities have reported no immediate incidents of injuries or major damage, as reported by The Associated Press. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake hit about 230 miles (370) km northwest of Juneau in Alaska and around 115 miles (250 km) west of Whitehorse in Yokon.
The quake originated at a shallow depth of about 10 km, a factor that makes tremors feel stronger at the surface. The main shock was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks.
The tremor was felt in Whitehorse, where Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) official Calista Macleod stated the authorities received two emergency calls through 911 shortly after the quake.
‘It was definitely felt,” she added, that many residents confirmed the shaking through social media posts. However, she added that no emergency situations were related directly to the quake at that stage.
No structural damage reported yet
Seismologist Alison Bird of Natural Resources Canada told the Associated Press that the most affected areas lie in mountainous, sparsely populated regions. “Most reports involved objects falling off shelves and walls”, she mentioned that no major structural damage has been confirmed till now.
The nearest Canadian settlement to the epicentre was identified as Haines Junction, situated about 80- miles (130 km) away. The pollution of this place is recorded to be 1,018 as per 20022 data. On the US side, the earthquake took place about 56 miles (91 km) from Yakutat, Alaska, home to around 662 residents, as per USGS.
Yukon Highways closed over avalanche risk
As per CBC report, Yukon Highways and Public Works has announced the closure of the South Klondike Highway starting from 5 pm (local time) from kilometres 24 to kilometres 106. The reason behind the closure has been cited as increased avalanche risk after the earthquake. The road is expected to be closed overnight. Officials are scheduled to reassess the conditions the following morning.