2016 Old Iliamna earthquake

2016 Old Iliamna earthquake

Anchorage
Date	January 24, 2016
Origin time	01:30 Alaska Standard Time (10:30 UTC)
Magnitude	7.1 Mw
Epicenter	59°36′18″N 153°20′24″W / 59.605°N 153.340°WCoordinates: 59°36′18″N 153°20′24″W / 59.605°N 153.340°W
Type	Oblique-slip
Areas affected	Alaska United States
Total damage	4 homes destroyed 1 highway heavily damaged Damage to gas, water and electrical infrastructure Other property damage
Max. intensity	VII (Very strong)
Tsunami	No
Aftershocks	4.7, 4.3,[1]4.0 and 3.2[2][3]
Casualties	1 injury[4]

The 2016 Old Iliamna earthquake struck in the Cook Inlet region of Alaska near Iliamna at 1:30 AM AKST on January 24, 2016. The quake was centered approximately 162 miles (261 km) from Anchorage, and 65 miles (105 km) from Homer.^[5] The earthquake registered 7.1, and was felt across a wide area of Southcentral Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula and as far away as Juneau roughly 700 miles (1,100 km) southeast of the epicenter.^[6] Moderate to heavy damage to homes, roads and businesses was experienced over a wide area.

Damage

Damage, mostly moderate with pockets of heavier damage, was experienced across a wide area of Southcentral Alaska. On the Kenai Peninsula, four homes were destroyed in Kenai due to gas leak related fires. Businesses had damage to merchandise, and the Kalifornsky Beach Road was heavily damaged. There were also power outages in Homer, as well as moderate property damage.^[7] There was a voluntary evacuation of the Homer Spit.^[8]

In Anchorage, there were power outages reported in several areas, affecting over 5,000 customers. There were also numerous gas leaks and water line breaks. There was damage reported across the city to residents personal effects in homes, as well as to business merchandise.^[9] Rows of shelving at a True Value hardware store collapsed, damaging the merchandise.^[10] A bridge connecting downtown Anchorage with the Government Hill neighborhood was evacuated and closed after cracks were discovered on the span. The downtown Brady Building had broken windows and other damage to the offices there.^[11]

There was varying degrees of damage to Anchorage School District buildings, including to a library shared by West High School and Romig Middle School. There was also damage to the Student Union at the University of Alaska Anchorage.^[12]

See also

• List of earthquakes in 2016
• List of earthquakes in Alaska

References

1. "Alaska hit with aftershock after 7.1-magnitude earthquake". USA Today. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
2. "Alaska hit with aftershock after 7.1-magnitude earthquake". USA Today. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
3. "Magnitude-7.1 quake rocks Alaska, damaging roads and displacing residents". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
4. "‘It got stronger and stronger’ Nikiski woman describes moment of 7.1 quake". KTUU-TV. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
5. "7.1 quake rattles region". Peninsula Clarion. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
6. "Unnerved but unharmed, Anchorage residents tidy up after 7.1 quake". Alaska Public Radio Network. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
7. "M7.1 - 87km WSW of Anchor Point, Alaska". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
8. "Quake rattles Homer, breaks bottles, plates; no major damage". Homer News. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
9. "Damage, but no injuries reported after 7.1 earthquake rocks Alaska". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
10. "Watch what happens when a 7.1 quake slams Anchorage True Value". KTUU-TV. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
11. "‘Anchorage is now awake’: Preliminary M7.1 earthquake rocks Southcentral". KTVA. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
12. "Residents seek shelter after quake-related gas leaks, fire destroy Kenai homes". KTUU-TV. Retrieved 24 January 2016.