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Powerful Earthquake Rattles Alaska

Alaskan Earthquake Map

On the morning of November 30th, 2018 Alaska had a 7.0 earthquake. The incredibly powerful earthquake was centered approximately 7 miles from the center of Anchorage, which is Alaska’s most populated city. The quake was felt as far as 400 miles away. Anchorage was hit with numerous aftershocks rating as high as 5.7 on the Richer Scale. Damage has been reported to highways and roads restricting travel. A water main has ruptured at the Anchorage Airport causing non structural damage. Ceilings collapsed and windows shattered from the shaking. There have been no reported causalities.

The aftershocks are not over yet according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The state is located right on the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire” where the majority of the world’s earthquakes occur. In 1964, Alaska was hit with a 9.2 magnitude earthquake that lasted for 4 and a half minutes.

The U.S.G.S. reports that the likeliness of another earthquake 7.0 or greater is very low at 4%. However, up to 2200 aftershocks up to magnitude 3.0 are possible.

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