The history of Alaska earthquakes

The magnitude-7.0 earthquake reported near of Anchorage Friday is the 14th with a magnitude of at least 6 in the area over the last 100 years, according to the United States Geological Survey.

“Earthquakes are common in this region,” according to the USGS website. “Over the past century, 14 other M 6+ earthquakes have occurred within 150 km of the November 30, 2018 event.”

The state has had at least six magnitude-5.0 quakes over the past four years. One of the most recent was Jan. 23, 2018 when a 7.9 earthquake hit the Gulf of Alaska.

The second-largest earthquake ever recorded caused widespread damage when it hit Prince William Sound in March 1964 with a magnitude of 9.2, according to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission.

Alaska also played home to the largest on-land quake in North America when a 7.9 quake struck the Denali fault in Central Alaska in 2002, according to the commission.

“Scientists have long recognized that Alaska has more earthquakes than any other region of the United States and is, in fact, one of the most seismically active areas of the world,” according to the commission’s website.

Alaska Earthquake Statistics, courtesy of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission

Alaska is home of the the second largest earthquake ever recorded (1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, magnitude 9.2)Alaska has 11 percent of the world's recorded earthquakesThree of the eight largest earthquakes in the world were in AlaskaSeven of the ten largest earthquakes in the United States were in Alaska

Since 1900, Alaska has had an average of:

One "great" earthquake (magnitude 8 or larger) earthquake every 13 yearsOne magnitude 7 to 8 earthquake every yearSix magnitude 6 to 7 earthquakes per yearForty five magnitude 5 to 6 earthquakes per yearThree hundred twenty magnitude 4 to 5 earthquakes per yearAn average of a 1,000 earthquakes are located in Alaska each month