This week’s seismic update from the Alaska Earthquake Center takes us back to one of Interior Alaska’s most memorable earthquakes, the 1968 Rampart event.
Over the past seven days, the center recorded around 340 earthquakes across the state. The strongest was a magnitude 5.1 south of Adak, while a magnitude 4.6 in Southcentral Alaska was widely felt, with more than 650 people sending in “Did You Feel It?” reports.
Fifty-seven years ago, when the magnitude 6.5 Rampart Earthquake struck, Alaskans didn’t have online forms or mobile alerts. Instead, they described their experiences in letters sent by mail. Those handwritten reports paint a vivid picture: people felt the ground ripple, ice on nearby rivers cracked, store shelves toppled, and heavy furniture shifted. One Tanana resident recalled being startled by “rumbling noises” and said the shaking “frightened many.”
Today, those same personal stories are a vital part of Alaska’s earthquake history. The Alaska Earthquake Center continues that legacy through its digital “Did You Feel It?” tool, where residents can instantly report shaking and help scientists understand how earthquakes are felt across the state.
Staying safe means being aware and prepared. Learn more on our website earthquake.alaska.edu.
