CaliToday (07/12/2025): Residents report strong shaking across the region, but authorities confirm no tsunami threat exists.
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| The Hubbard glacier, located near Yakutat, Alaska, in 2024.Photograph: Mark Thiessen/AP |
Sunday, December 7, 2025 — A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 struck the remote border region between Alaska (USA) and the Yukon Territory (Canada) today, sending strong tremors through nearby communities but sparing the coastline from a tsunami disaster.
The Seismic Event
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred early this morning. The epicenter was located in a mountainous area along the border, a region known for its rugged terrain and tectonic activity.
Magnitude: 7.0
Depth: The quake was relatively shallow, which typically results in more intense surface shaking compared to deep-focus earthquakes.
Location: The shockwaves radiated outward from the border zone, with tremors felt as far away as Juneau, Alaska, and Whitehorse, Yukon.
"The Whole House Shook"
While the epicenter was in a sparsely populated area, residents in surrounding towns and villages took to social media to describe the frightening experience.
"It started as a low rumble and then suddenly everything was swaying. Picture frames fell off the walls and the lights flickered, but thankfully the building held up," shared a resident from a town near the border.
Local authorities are currently conducting damage assessments. Initial reports suggest minor structural damage—such as cracked drywall and broken windows but there have been no immediate reports of major injuries or catastrophic infrastructure failure.
Tsunami Fears Allayed
The most critical update came shortly after the shaking stopped. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center quickly analyzed the seismic data and issued a statement confirming that no tsunami is expected.
This news brought a wave of relief to coastal communities in the Gulf of Alaska and British Columbia, who are often on high alert for tidal waves following seismic events of this magnitude.
Geological Context
This region sits along the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean basin where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. The interaction between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates frequently generates significant seismic energy in this corridor.
Seismologists advise residents to remain vigilant, as aftershocks are common following a mainshock of this size. These secondary tremors can continue for days or even weeks.