Magnitude 6.6 Earthquake Hits Alaska
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that a Magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit the west coast of Alaska on Monday, October 9, 2017 (Philippine Time).
According to its latest earthquake bulletin, the quake hit at a depth of 1111.8 kilometers (69 miles) and 60 kilometers east of the remote Buldir Island in the Aleutian archipelago.
No tsunami warning was issued by the USGS.
“Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist,” USGS noted in a statement.
“The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction,” USGS said.
“There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage,” USGS added via a report published by ABS-CBN News.
According to USGS, Magnitude 6 earthquake is characterized by the “Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.”
Alaska was devastated by strong earthquakes before and among the most popular earthquake scenario in the northern American state is the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, also known as the Great Alaskan Earthquake or Good Friday earthquake.
The magnitude 9.2 megathrust earthquake which struck off Alaska in 1964 which lasted for four minutes and thirty-eight seconds has been recorded as the most powerful earthquake in North American history, and the second most powerful quake in world history.
Note: We will continue to monitor any incident regarding the earthquake in Alaska and we will post an update here.