Earthquakes in Alaska
January 1, 1995
Earthquake risk is high in much of the southern half of Alaska, but it is not the same everywhere. This map shows the overall geologic setting in Alaska that produces earthquakes. The Pacific plate (darker blue) is sliding northwestward past southeastern Alaska and then dives beneath the North American plate (light blue, green, and brown) in southern Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula, and the Aleutian Islands. Most earthquakes are produced where these two plates come into contact and slide past each other. Major earthquakes also occur throughout much of interior Alaska as a result of collision of a piece of crust with the southern margin.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1995 |
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Title | Earthquakes in Alaska |
DOI | 10.3133/ofr95624 |
Authors | Peter J. Haeussler, George Plafker |
Publication Type | Report |
Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
Series Title | Open-File Report |
Series Number | 95-624 |
Index ID | ofr95624 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Alaska Science Center |