A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Alaska, sending tremors across the continent, reaching as far as Canada. The quake hit the region around Yakutat, a small town with a population of just 657 people, at a depth of 6.21 miles. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake and three subsequent quakes in the region, including a magnitude 5.3 and a magnitude 5.0 quake. There were no immediate reports of damage or injury, and no tsunami warning was issued. However, the tremors were felt in Whitehorse, Canada, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police receiving two 911 calls about the earthquake. According to NASA, major earthquakes of this magnitude occur on average 18 times a year, with one greater than 8.0. The magnitude of a quake refers to its strength, with a 7.0 to 7.9 considered a major shake that can cause serious damage. The affected area in the Yukon is known for its scenic mountains and low population. Most reports indicate that items fell off shelves and walls, but no structural damage has been reported. The Canadian community nearest to the epicenter is Haines Junction, about 80 miles away. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is conducting post-event inspections of state highways, bridges, airports, and other transportation infrastructure in the region, but no major travel impacts are expected. In September, a 7.8 magnitude quake off Russia's east coast triggered tsunami alerts in Alaska, with more than a dozen aftershocks detected by the USGS. Just last month, a swarm of quakes rocked the Central Coast of California, with more than a dozen tremors reported across one afternoon in a one-mile area near Templeton and San Luis Obispo. The swarm began after a 4.1 earthquake erupted just four miles away from Templeton, and the tremors were felt along the coastline from Salinas in the north to Lompoc in the south.
