Alaska Earthquake Today: Magnitude 6.0–6.1 Rattles Southcentral Region Near Anchorage

A strong Alaska earthquake struck late Thursday morning, shaking homes and offices across Southcentral communities including Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, and the Kenai Peninsula. Preliminary analyses place the magnitude at 6.0–6.1, occurring at approximately 8:11 a.m. AKST (17:11 UTC) on November 27, with the epicenter in the Susitna–Willow–Skwentna area and a focal depth of roughly 40–85 km. The inland location and depth significantly reduced the likelihood of a tsunami, and initial updates indicated no tsunami threat.

Where the Alaska earthquake hit and what was felt

The earthquake’s epicentral region lies northwest of Anchorage, near Willow and west of the Susitna River corridor. A quake of this size at intermediate depth tends to produce broad, rolling motion rather than the sharp jolts typical of shallow events. Residents reported sustained shaking across Anchorage and Eagle River, with noticeable motion in Palmer and Wasilla and lighter, longer-period swaying extending toward Kenai and Homer. Because energy from deeper quakes spreads efficiently, shaking was perceptible over a wide area even as peak intensities near the epicenter remained in the moderate range.

Key early technical details:

• Origin time: 8:11 a.m. AKST (17:11 UTC), Thursday, November 27

• Magnitude: 6.0–6.1 (subject to routine refinement)

• Depth: Approximately 40–85 km (intermediate)

• Location: Southwest of Willow / west of Susitna; roughly 35–40 miles from Anchorage

• Tsunami risk: Not expected for this inland, intermediate-depth event

Why this Alaska earthquake behaved the way it did

Southcentral Alaska straddles a complex boundary where the Pacific Plate dives beneath North America. Intermediate-depth earthquakes—like today’s—occur within the subducting slab as it bends and descends. Compared with shallow crustal quakes, they often:

• Affect a larger region because seismic waves travel farther with less attenuation at depth.

• Pose lower surface-rupture risk, since breaking reaches do not typically extend to the ground surface.

• Reduce tsunami potential when located well inland, as today’s event was.

Even so, a magnitude ~6 earthquake can produce falling objects, cracked plaster, minor nonstructural damage, and isolated disruptions to utilities close to the epicenter. Critical infrastructure operators in Alaska routinely perform rapid inspections after events of this size; travelers may see precautionary speed restrictions or brief slow orders on bridges and rail segments while checks are completed.

Aftershocks and what to expect next

Aftershocks are normal following an earthquake of this magnitude. For an event near M6 at intermediate depth:

• Frequency: A handful of smaller aftershocks is likely in the coming hours and days.

• Magnitude: Most will be much weaker; an aftershock approaching magnitude 5 is possible but less common.

• Duration: Activity typically tapers over days to weeks.

Residents should be prepared for additional shakes. If you feel more shaking: drop, cover, and hold on until it stops. If you are driving, pull over safely and remain in the vehicle. Keep phones charged, secure tall furniture, and know where your gas shutoff is located. In multi-story buildings, expect swaying on higher floors; elevators may be briefly taken out of service during safety checks.

Alaska earthquake context: a seismically active region

Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state in the United States, sitting squarely in the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” Large events are part of the state’s seismic fabric—most famously the 1964 magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake. In recent months, Southcentral and the Aleutians have seen a typical mix of small daily quakes punctuated by occasional stronger ones. Today’s Alaska earthquake fits the regional pattern of slab-related seismicity beneath the Cook Inlet–Anchorage corridor.

A brief comparison of recent notable Alaska-area activity:

• Southcentral (Cook Inlet/Mat-Su): Frequent small-to-moderate quakes tied to the subducting slab.

• Aleutians/Alaska Peninsula: Episodic larger offshore events associated with megathrust processes.

• Interior/Denali region: More sporadic crustal quakes along interior fault systems.

Practical guidance and what officials usually do after a magnitude ~6

Following an event of this size, standard steps typically include:

• Infrastructure checks: Rapid visual inspections of roads, bridges, pipelines, ports, and airports.

• Utilities review: Assessment of power, water, and gas systems; customers may see brief interruptions.

• School and facility protocols: Evacuation drills, headcounts, and building walk-throughs for damage.

• Public updates: Refined magnitude, depth, and location as seismologists review waveforms.

If you experienced damage—cracked chimneys, fallen cabinet contents, or misaligned doors—document it with photos and report it to local authorities as instructed. Submitting a felt report helps seismologists map shaking intensity and refine models that underpin building codes and emergency planning.

Today’s Southcentral Alaska earthquake—magnitude 6.0–6.1 near Willow/Susitna around 8:11 a.m. AKST—was widely felt but, given its depth and inland location, is not expected to generate a tsunami. Minor damage close to the epicenter is possible, and aftershocks are likely. Residents should stay prepared, heed local guidance, and expect refined details as analysis continues.