M7.9

2002 Alaska, USA Earthquake

Denali Fault, Alaska — November 3, 2002

The 2002 Denali Fault earthquake is one of the largest strike-slip earthquakes in North American history, producing 340 km of surface rupture. It generated seiches in lakes and ponds as far away as Louisiana and provided critical data for understanding large continental strike-slip events.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M7.9

Date

Nov 3, 2002

Depth

4.2 km

Deaths

0

Latitude

63.514°

Longitude

-147.453°

Tsunami

No

Region

Alaska, USA

Tectonic Cause

Right-lateral strike-slip earthquake on the Denali Fault system, the major active fault crossing interior Alaska. The rupture initiated on the Susitna Glacier Thrust before continuing on the Denali and Totschunda Faults.

Aftermath in Pictures

Photos from Wikimedia Commons — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)

Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any image to enlarge.

Sources & Further Reading

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