M4.6 earthquake 270 km SW of Yakutat, Alaska

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck 270 km SW of Yakutat, Alaska on Tue, Dec 1, 1987, 5:16 PM AKST (02:16 UTC), 10 km (6 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M5.2 208 km SW of Yakutat, Alaska. This one was a foreshock.

Map

Where this earthquake was located, with the others nearby. Select one for its page.

No one has reported feeling this quake to the USGS.

Reviewed by a seismologist.

Distance and direction from each place to the epicenter, with its forecast.

Within 100 km, magnitude 1.6 and up: 45 in the 60 days after this one and 82 in the 30 days before it.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event usp0003aur. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 12:18 PM UTC.