M4.2 earthquake 196 km SW of Yakutat, Alaska

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck 196 km SW of Yakutat, Alaska on Mon, Dec 14, 1987, 6:20 AM AKST (15:20 UTC), 10 km (6 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M5.5 184 km WSW 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 1.5 and up: 42 in the 60 days after this one and 129 in the 30 days before it.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event usp0003b9d. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 11:23 AM UTC.