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An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 struck northwest Alaska on Tuesday afternoon.
The quake struck at 1:27 p.m. in a remote area of the state about 160 miles southeast of Kotzebue, on the border between the Northwest Arctic Borough and the Yukon–Koyukuk census area, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. The nearest village is Shungnak, about 40 miles north of the epicenter.
Five people had reported to the United States Geological Survey by about 2:15 p.m. that they had felt the earthquake. Earlier, the Alaska Earthquake Center had listed the preliminary magnitude at 5.8 and 5.9. A reviewed magnitude confirmed by a seismologist has not yet been released.
The M5.2 quake at 1:27pm was another in the ongoing Purcell Mountains swarm, about 40 miles south of Kobuk. We have felt reports from Huslia and Nulato. Here's our event page: https://t.co/3nbJKNfRfB
— AK Earthquake Center (@AKearthquake) March 26, 2019
The quake, which measured at a depth of about a third of a mile, was part of an earthquake “swarm" that has produced seven quakes with magnitudes greater than 4.0 since February, according to the earthquake center.
Check back for updates on this developing story.