Significant earthquakes of 1989

September 4, 1989 Earthquake: Alaska, United States

September 4, 1989 · M6.9

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Alaska, United States on September 4, 1989 at 13:14:58 UTC, 11 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
September 4, 1989
Time
13:14:58 UTC
Place
Alaska, United States
Magnitude
6.9 (Ms)
Focal depth
11 km (7 mi)
Epicenter
55.543° N, 156.835° W

The toll

The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this earthquake.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

Felt (V) at Chignik, Chignik Lagoon and Port Heiden; (IV) at Perryville, Sand Point and Togiak; (III) at Egegik, Homer, King Cove, Pilot Point and Unalaska; (II) at King Salmon. Also felt at Cold Bay and Kenai. Two events about 2.5 seconds apart. (reference #1053)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1989The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1989Recent 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 6475.