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Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits remote area near Alaska-Canada border
A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck a sparsely populated region near the border between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory on Saturday. Despite the quake’s strength, authorities reported no injuries, structural damage, or tsunami warnings.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicenter was approximately 230 miles (370 km) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 km) west of Whitehorse, Yukon. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 6 miles (10 km) and was followed by several smaller aftershocks.
Residents in Whitehorse reported feeling the quake, with some calling emergency services to report items falling from shelves and walls. According to Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, the region closest to the epicenter is largely mountainous and lightly populated, reducing the risk of major damage.
The nearest communities to the epicenter are Haines Junction in Yukon, about 80 miles (130 km) away with just over 1,000 residents, and Yakutat, Alaska, roughly 56 miles (91 km) from the epicenter, with fewer than 700 inhabitants. Local authorities confirmed that no significant damage had been reported.
Officials continue to monitor the area for aftershocks and any potential impact on nearby communities.