Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits offshore Alaska

A shallow M5.6 earthquake was recorded at 14:15 UTC on May 6, 2026, about 237 km (147 miles) east-southeast of Attu Station, Alaska, at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles). The earthquake’s coordinates were 51.9°N, 176.3°E.

The event was located offshore, far from major population centers and near the western tip of the Aleutian Islands chain. This sparsely populated region is characterized mainly by uninhabited islands and the nearest community, Attu Station, is a remote outpost.

Given its offshore setting near the Alaska-Aleutian arc, potential nearby infrastructure could include limited transport and research facilities servicing the Aleutian Islands, as well as shipping lanes transiting the northern Pacific Ocean.

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

The maximum estimated intensity reached was IV, and the significance index assigned was 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), a value based on the quake’s magnitude and estimated impact.

The Aleutian Islands region is tectonically active, forming part of the Pacific Ring of Fire where the Pacific plate subducts beneath the North American plate, producing frequent seismic activity.

This information was last updated at 14:27 UTC on May 6, 2026.