July 30, 1972 Earthquake: Sitka, Juneau, Alaska, United States
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Sitka, Juneau, Alaska, United States on July 30, 1972 at 21:45:14 UTC, 25 km below the surface. It caused a tsunami.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- July 30, 1972
- Time
- 21:45:14 UTC
- Place
- Sitka, Juneau, Alaska, United States
- Magnitude
- 7.6 (Ms)
- Focal depth
- 25 km (16 mi)
- Intensity
- 7 on the Modified Mercalli scale
- Tsunami
- Yes: the tsunami it caused
- Epicenter
- 56.820° N, 135.680° W
- Country
- United States
The toll
- Damage
- Limited (under about $1 million)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
1972, July 30, 11:45:14.1 (21:45 UTC). Epicenter 56.82 N, 135.68 W., southeastern Alaska, at a depth of 25 km, mag 7.6 MS. Int VII. Felt over an area of about 130,000 sq km (50,000 sq mi). Slightly felt at Quesnel, B.C. Seiches occurred in swimming pools as far south as Seattle, Wash. Felt onboard a ship at 55 deg 40' N., 134 deg 10' W. Also felt on a cruiser about 20 km southwest (true) of Sitka. "Shock lasted about 20 seconds; felt a heavy vibration that shook boat. Surface of water was agitated; appeared like ripples jumping up and and down. Noted a lot of grass clumps that fell off Saint Lazaria Island." At Sitka, a few chimneys cracked and fell, some minor landslides occurred, and power was off briefly. Light damage also occurred at Hoonah, Juneau, Pelican, and Yakutat. At least 19 aftershocks were felt at Sitka as of August 29. (reference #45)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
More
Significant earthquakes of 1972The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1972Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 4609.