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United States · Alaska

M5.4 Earthquake near Unorganized Borough, Alaska (United States)

UTC time: 2026-10-15 11:07:01 UTC Local time: —

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M5.4 Earthquake near Unorganized Borough, Alaska (United States) · 2026-10-15 — Map showing the location of the epicenter
M5.4 Earthquake near Unorganized Borough, Alaska (United States) · 2026-10-15 — Map showing the location of the epicenter

About this earthquake

On October 15, 2026 at 11:07 UTC, a magnitude M5.4 earthquake occurred near Unorganized Borough, Alaska (United States). The hypocenter lay relatively close to the surface at around 8 km, increasing how strongly it was felt. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS. United States: 151 earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours, the strongest reaching M5.4.

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 8.3 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 8.3 km
Shallow
8.3 km
8.3 km — shallower than the regional average (15.2 km)
Regional average: 15.2 km
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Official USGS aftershock forecast

Probability of at least one aftershock at or above the specified magnitude during the entire stated time window. This does not predict an individual earthquake.

Issued: Oct 15, 2026, 11:37 AM UTC · Last checked: Oct 15, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC

Oct 15, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC – Oct 16, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC
MagnitudeProbability ≥ 1Count (95% interval)
M ≥ 3.071.51 %0–118
M ≥ 4.034.14 %0–12
M ≥ 5.09.13 %0–2
M ≥ 6.01.30 %0–0
M ≥ 7.00.14 %0–0
Oct 15, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC – Oct 22, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC
MagnitudeProbability ≥ 1Count (95% interval)
M ≥ 3.077.41 %0–177
M ≥ 4.040.51 %0–18
M ≥ 5.012.09 %0–2
M ≥ 6.01.90 %0–0
M ≥ 7.00.21 %0–0
Oct 15, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC – Nov 14, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC
MagnitudeProbability ≥ 1Count (95% interval)
M ≥ 3.080.16 %0–217
M ≥ 4.043.88 %0–22
M ≥ 5.013.83 %0–3
M ≥ 6.02.30 %0–0
M ≥ 7.00.25 %0–0
Oct 15, 2026, 11:40 AM UTC – Oct 15, 2027, 11:40 AM UTC
MagnitudeProbability ≥ 1Count (95% interval)
M ≥ 3.083.28 %0–280
M ≥ 4.048.05 %0–28
M ≥ 5.016.16 %0–3
M ≥ 6.02.89 %0–1
M ≥ 7.00.32 %0–0

The range is the 95% forecast interval for the number of earthquakes. Magnitude thresholds and time windows overlap: do not add the values. Windows already in progress still refer to the entire stated period.

Source: USGS — Operational Aftershock Forecast

Estimated impact

69 Felt reports · max reported intensity 5.5

Ground shaking

VII
Very strong · Intensity (MMI) VII
Moderate damage possible.

Tectonic context

Located on the North America Plate.
Near the boundary North America ↔ Pacific · about 648 km away

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Fairbanks247.8 kmE32'325
Anchorage364.2 kmSE289'600

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Buzzard Creek
    Distance: 208 km ·Tuff ring(s) ·Elevation: 830 m ·Last eruption: -1050 ·United States
  • Hayes
    Distance: 288 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 3'034 m ·Last eruption: 1200 ·United States
  • Spurr
    Distance: 327 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 3'374 m ·Last eruption: 1992 ·United States
  • Redoubt
    Distance: 417 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 3'108 m ·Last eruption: 2009 ·United States
  • Iliamna
    Distance: 467 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 3'053 m ·Last eruption: 1876 ·United States
  • St. Michael
    Distance: 469 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: 715 m ·United States

Radius · 100 km

Nearby infrastructure

Up to 3 nearest sites per category

Airports

  • Minchumina AirportUnited States · LMA · PAMH
    43.1 kmStraight-line distance

Source: OurAirports · Dataset date: 2026-10-05

This selection shows geographic proximity, not a hazard zone or confirmed impacts. Distances use recorded site coordinates. Sources & data dates

Comparison of seismic sources

3 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.0 to M5.4.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
EMSCM5.010.0 km4.0 km
USGSM5.48.3 km0.0 km
GFZM5.010.0 km9.5 km

Alaska

Context for this earthquake

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026 · M ≥ 3.0 · 653 Catalogue entries

Sufficiently reliable matching data are not currently available for a direct comparison. The area profile shows the available records and their limitations.

Open seismic profile

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#1
Earlier events M≥47
Earlier events M≥50
Compared since2025-03-30

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

M4.82026-07-28 20:49:26 UTC103.4 kmDenali Borough M4.42026-01-21 14:03:03 UTC121.2 kmDenali Borough M4.42025-07-07 10:24:10 UTC142.9 kmCentral Alaska M4.12026-09-28 14:55:54 UTC95.7 kmDenali Borough M4.12025-03-30 02:01:58 UTC149.7 km66 km W of Cantwell, Alaska

Historic earthquake map · United States

Open history map
Explore recent and long-term earthquake activity in this country. Use filters to narrow down by magnitude, depth, and date range.

Country statistics · United States

Country overview
View earthquake KPIs, strongest and latest events, and averages for this country.

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