6.0 Earthquake Alaska: Strong Quake Shakes Southcentral — What Residents Must Know

1 — Quick summary

News Updates: A 6.0 earthquake in Alaska rattled Southcentral communities Thursday morning at 8:11 a.m. local time, centered about 26 miles southwest of Willow at a depth of 43 miles. The quake woke residents and shook items off shelves; it was felt as far away as Fairbanks. Officials say no tsunami is expected, and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) is surveying roads and bridges for damage. Travel impacts were described as unlikely, though updates will be posted on 511.alaska.gov.

2 — Where and when the quake struck

According to seismic monitoring agencies, the quake’s preliminary parameters are:

• Magnitude: 6.0
• Time: 8:11 a.m. local time (Thanksgiving morning)
• Location: ~26 miles southwest of Willow / near Susitna (Southcentral Alaska)
• Depth: ~43 miles

The event was reviewed by a seismologist and published by monitoring centers. The National Tsunami Center confirmed no tsunami threat from this event.

3 — What residents reported and where it was felt

Residents in Southcentral Alaska described being woken from sleep, with reports of items falling off walls and shelves. Local seismologists and the Alaska Earthquake Center note the quake was felt widely — as far north as Fairbanks — a typical footprint for a quake of this magnitude in the region given Alaska’s geological setting.

4 — Damage, infrastructure checks & travel impacts

State transportation officials said they will survey roads, bridges and other infrastructure after what was termed a “significant seismic event.” At the time of reporting, there were no immediate major damage reports. ADOT&PF added that travel impacts are unlikely, but drivers should check 511.alaska.gov for any road or bridge advisories.

If you notice structural damage, do not drive into dangerous areas — instead, report it to local emergency services so assessments can be coordinated safely.

5 — How this quake fits recent seismic activity

This Thanksgiving quake follows a smaller 4.9 magnitude tremor earlier this week near Cook Inlet. The 6.0 event is the strongest in the region since a 6.1 quake in May 2021 under the Talkeetna Mountains. Alaska remains the most seismically active U.S. state because it sits where the Pacific and North American plates interact — the same plate boundary responsible for the historic 1964 (M 9.2) Prince William Sound earthquake, one of the largest recorded.

6 — Safety checklist: What to do now

If you were in the quake zone, follow these immediate steps:

• Check yourself and others for injuries; provide first aid if necessary.
• Inspect your home for obvious structural damage (cracks in walls, sagging roofs, broken windows). If you smell gas, leave immediately and call emergency services.
• Expect aftershocks. Stay in a safe location and be prepared to drop, cover and hold on.
• Secure hazards: shut off gas only if you suspect a leak. Turn off utilities if instructed by officials.
• Drive only if necessary — watch for road damage, fallen trees, or downed power lines.
• Avoid beaches and shorelines until authorities confirm no tsunami risk (in this case, none expected).
• Check on neighbors, especially vulnerable people (elderly, disabled).
• Follow official channels for verified updates — do not rely on unconfirmed social posts.

7 — Where to get live updates & report damage

• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program — for official magnitude/location/depth updates.
• Alaska Earthquake Center — felt reports and regional seismic context.
• National Tsunami Center — tsunami advisories (currently: no tsunami).
• ADOT&PF — road and bridge assessments and travel advisories (511.alaska.gov).
• Local emergency management and municipal social-media feeds for community notices.

If you see structural damage or immediate hazards, contact local emergency services (911) or non-emergency municipal lines as directed by your borough or city.

8 — FAQ

Q: Was a tsunami expected after the 6.0 quake?
A: No — the National Tsunami Center reported no tsunami expected for this event.

Q: Should I be worried about more quakes?
A: Aftershocks are common after a magnitude 6.0 event. Stay alert and follow drop-cover-hold-on procedures if you feel shaking.

Q: Will highways be closed?
A: ADOT&PF will survey infrastructure. At this time travel impacts are unlikely but check 511.alaska.gov for live updates.

Q: How common are earthquakes in Alaska?
A: Very common — Alaska is the most seismically active U.S. state because of the plate boundary between the Pacific and North American plates.

9 — Sources & publishing checklist

Sources: Anchorage Daily News (local coverage), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Earthquake Center, National Tsunami Center, ADOT&PF advisories, local emergency feeds.