JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A powerful, magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck in a remote area near the border between Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon on Saturday. There was no tsunami warning, and officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or injury.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it struck about 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon.
In Whitehorse, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Calista MacLeod reported the detachment received two 911 calls about the earthquake, indicating it was indeed felt throughout the region.
“It definitely was felt,” MacLeod said, adding that social media was abuzz with reports from residents who experienced the tremor.
Alison Bird, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, noted that the part of the Yukon most affected by the quake is characterized by scenic mountains and a sparse population.
“Mostly people have reported things falling off shelves and walls,” Bird stated. “It doesn’t seem like we’ve seen anything in terms of structural damage.”
The nearest Canadian community to the epicenter is Haines Junction, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) away, with a population of 1,018 as per the Yukon Bureau of Statistics.
The quake was also approximately 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Yakutat, Alaska, a small town with 662 residents.
Striking at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers), the earthquake was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks, further adding to the awareness and apprehension felt by the local populace.
