Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits near Yakutat, Alaska

A shallow M5.6 earthquake was recorded at 20:46 UTC on December 6, 2025, approximately 84 km (52 miles) north of Yakutat, Alaska. The event was registered at a depth of 5.0 km (3.1 miles), according to data from the USGS.

The coordinates of the event place the hypocenter inland in southern Alaska, north of the coastal community of Yakutat. The surrounding region is sparsely populated and characterized by rugged mountains and forested terrain, with Yakutat serving as one of the nearest settlements.

Critical infrastructure in this region is limited but may include rural highways, small airstrips, and local utility lines serving isolated communities. Given the distance to the coast and the remote nature of the epicentral area, dense urban infrastructure is unlikely to be directly affected.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

The significance index is 484 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Southern Alaska is tectonically active due to the convergence of the Pacific and North American plates along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone. This region is known for frequent seismic activity, including both shallow crustal and subduction-related earthquakes.

This information was last updated at 20:51 UTC on December 6, 2025.