Here is your weekly earthquake update from the Alaska Earthquake Center for the week of December 10, where ground shaking is monitored around the clock.
This week brought about 1,500 earthquakes across Alaska, and nearly two-thirds of them were aftershocks from the powerful magnitude 7.0 Hubbard Glacier earthquake that struck on December 6.
The earthquake happened about 60 miles north of Yakutat and was widely felt across both Alaska and western Canada. Within the first 10 minutes after the main quake, two more earthquakes! Both magnitude 5 earthquakes were recorded. The aftershock sequence has been highly active, producing almost 300 earthquakes of magnitude three or greater so far.
Why This Earthquake Happened
Saturday’s Hubbard Glacier earthquake occurred on the Fairweather Fault System, a major strike-slip fault where the Pacific Plate and North American Plate slide past each other. This movement is similar to two cars traveling in opposite directions on a narrow road.
This fault system has produced five earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher in the past century, including the well-known 1958 M7.8 Elfin Cove earthquake, which triggered the famous Lituya Bay landslide and tsunami.
Also Read: What’s Shaking Alaska? Weekly Earthquake Summary (December 5, 2025)
Stay Informed
For more information, maps, and updates about the Hubbard Glacier earthquake, visit earthquake.alaska.edu, or ask questions directly on social media at @akearthquake.
