November 20, 2025
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake rattled Southcentral Alaska on Thanksgiving morning, startling residents in the state's largest city but causing no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, according to officials.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck at 8:11 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located near Susitna, approximately 30 miles from Anchorage. The tremor was widely felt across the region, which is home to roughly 300,000 people.
More than 6,000 people quickly filed "Did You Feel It?" reports with the USGS, describing the event as a “solid shake” and the sensation of “a couple of dozen jolts at once.” The unexpected shaking provided an unsettling start to the holiday for many.
Despite the significant strength of the quake, initial assessments were positive. Emergency services reported no immediate calls for major structural damage or serious injuries. Adding to the relief, the National Tsunami Center in Palmer confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to the Alaska coastline.
The seismic activity did not end with the main tremor. A smaller 3.3 magnitude aftershock was recorded in the same area shortly after. The USGS has advised residents to remain prepared for more shaking, issuing a forecast that gives a 77% probability of another tremor of magnitude 4 or higher occurring within the next week. The forecast also indicates a 6% chance of another earthquake as strong as magnitude 6 striking in the same timeframe.
The event served as a stark reminder of Alaska’s position in one of the world's most seismically active regions. For the residents of Anchorage, the state’s most populous city, the Thanksgiving morning jolt was a powerful reminder of nature's force, but one met with widespread relief that it did not result in a more serious disaster.