M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Science Center Objects
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck north of Anchorage, Alaska, on November 30, 2018, at 8:29 a.m. local time (17:29:28 UTC).
Return to Hazards >> Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards
Did You Feel It?
Map of shaking intensity based on 15,000+ reports from citizens who experienced the earthquake.
In the News
- 12/05/19: KTVA: Lessons Learned - various segments
- 12/03/19: Inside Anchorage’s big 2018 earthquake, a ‘Snickers bar’ of shifting layers
- 12/01/19: As the Earth Breaks
- 11/29/19: How a few seconds of shifting deep below the Earth’s surface caused the biggest earthquake in Anchorage since 1964
- 11/25/19: Frontiers 191: Web Extra: The November 30 Alaska Earthquake
- 11/25/19: Frontiers 191: Magnitude 7.1 - Pieces of the Puzzle
- 11/01/19: Findings from the bottom of Eklutna Lake: USGS scientists reflect on months of earthquake research
- 10/22/19: Deep Landslides Not Reactivated by 2018 Anchorage Quake
- 04/26/19: Reconnaissance After Anchorage Quake Finds Signs of Ground Failure
- 02/17/19: Geologists researching Eklutna Lake sediment for earthquake evidence
- 12/11/18: Alaska Frontiers 162: A Tale of Two Earthquakes
- 12/04/18: USGS scientist: It could have been worse
- 11/30/18: USGS News Release
USGS scientists, working with researchers from the University of Ghent, probed the floor of Eklutna Lake, Anchorage Borough, Alaska, for evidence of turbidity currents triggered by strong shaking during the 2018 Mw7.1 Anchorage earthquake. In this photo, USGS scientist Peter Haeussler points to a dark layer at the top of a sediment core taken from the floor of Eklutna Lake. Research demonstrated that this dark layer, called a turbidite, was deposited on the lake floor after the 2018 earthquake. Field research took place in February 2019 when the lake was frozen, which allowed scientists to drill through the ice to collect 32 sediment cores. The deepest part of the lake exceeds 55 m (180 feet) (See SRL article by Van Daele et al., 2019, in press).
(Credit: Rob Witter, USGS. Public domain.)
Symposium and Talks
- 11/20/19: Fireside Chat: Did You Feel It?
- 09/24-26/19: One Year Later: Symposium on the 2018 M7.1 Anchorage Earthquake
- Thirty USGS scientists from around the country, including the Alaska Region and the Alaska Science Center, participated in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Alaska Earthquake Workshop, held in Anchorage, AK. This symposium, focused on the 2018 M7.1 Anchorage Earthquake and its consequences, and highlighted the research that has already occurred in the past year and will stimulate new investigations and collaborations to make the most of this learning opportunity.
USGS Event page
Tectonic summary, maps and data. The USGS event page has the most up-to-date information, and for estimates of casualties and damage, visit the USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website.
Shakemap
Map showing ground motion and shaking intensity based on instrumental measurements of shaking along with information about local geology and the earthquake’s location and magnitude.
Anchorage Office Building Shaking Visualizations
These videos presents a visualization of how the Frontier Building, Atwood Building and BP Building in Anchorage, Alaska, shook during the moment magnitude (Mw) 7.1 November 30, 2018, Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake. The buildings were instrumented by U.S. Geological Survey to obtain data to study its behavior and performance during strong shaking. Such data are useful in making decisions about improving the performance of this and similar buildings.
Credit for each video: Mehmet Çelebi, USGS (Public domain.)
-
Date published: February 1, 2019Status: ActiveAlaska Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards
Alaska has more large earthquakes than the rest of the United States combined. More than three-quarters of the state’s population live in an area that can experience a magnitude 7 earthquake. Our research provides objective science that helps stakeholders prepare for and mitigate the effects of future earthquakes and tsunamis, which bolsters the economic health and well-being of Alaska and the...
Attribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center
Ground failure triggered by shaking during the November 30, 2018, magnitude 7.1 Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake
We developed an initial inventory of ground failure features from the November 30, 2018, magnitude 7.1 Anchorage earthquake. This inventory of 153 features is from ground-based observations soon after the earthquake (December 5–10) that include the presence or absence of liquefaction, landslides, and individual crack traces of lateral spreads and...
Grant, Alex R. R. ; Jibson, Randall W.; Witter, Robert C.; Allstadt, Kate E.; Thompson, Eric M.; Bender, Adrian M.
Ground failure from the Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake of 30 November 2018
Investigation of ground failure triggered by the 2018 Mw">MwMw 7.1 Anchorage earthquake showed that landslides, liquefaction, and ground cracking all occurred and caused significant damage. Shallow rock falls and rock slides were the most abundant types of landslides, but they occurred in smaller numbers than global models that are...
Jibson, Randall W.; Grant, Alex R. R. ; Witter, Robert C.; Allstadt, Kate; Thompson, Eric M.; Bender, Adrian The 30 November 2018 Mw7.1 Anchorage Earthquake
The Mw">Mw 7.1 47 km deep earthquake that occurred on 30 November 2018 had deep societal impacts across southcentral Alaska and exhibited phenomena of broad scientific interest. We document observations that point to future directions of research and hazard mitigation. The rupture mechanism, aftershocks, and deformation of the...
West, Michael E.; Bender, Adrian; Gardine, Matthew; Gardine, Lea; Gately, Kara; Haeussler, Peter; Hassan, Wael; Meyer, Franz; Richards, Cole; Ruppert, Natalia; Tape, Carl; Thornley, John; Witter, Robert
Evidence of turbidity currents in Eklutna Lake
USGS scientists, working with researchers from the University of Ghent, probed the floor of Eklutna Lake, Anchorage Borough, Alaska, for evidence of turbidity currents triggered by strong shaking during the 2018 Mw7.1 Anchorage earthquake. In this photo, USGS scientist Peter Haeussler points to a dark layer at the top of a sediment core taken from the floor of Eklutna Lake
...
USGS scientist investigates cracks along Trunk Road in Wasilla, AK
A USGS scientist investigates cracks along Trunk Road in Wasilla, Alaska. Extensional crack and damage to roadway along S Trunk Rd. No visible compressional zone or displacement at the toe of the landslide was observed. These cracks were among many that opened across the Anchorage and Mat-Su region due to strong shaking during the November 30 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
A USGS geologist stands in a crack in tide flat sediment, Alaska
A USGS scientist stands in a crack in tide flat sediment that opened during strong shaking in the November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake. This upland ground crack near Cottonwood Creek, Palmer Slough had horizontal displacements of ~2.5ft locally and observed maximum depth of ~3ft. The crack was observed ~150ft from the active river channel. This was one of 153 ground
...
Measuring a crack in sandy sediment along the Knik River, Alaska
Exposed sand within a extensional crack along the Knik River, Alaska. Measuring a crack in sandy sediment along the south bank of the Knik River. This crack was one of many that opened across the Anchorage and Mat-Su region due to strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
2018 Potter Hill landslide 2, Anchorage, AK
Landslide from bluff below rail grade north of Rabbit Creek. Main scarp of slump/flow slide at Potter Hill. Railroad grade is to the left, tidal flat to the right. Note ponded drainage and disrupted slide material.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Close up of cracks at the north end of the Port of Anchorage, Alaska
Lateral spread cracks at northern end of Port of Anchorage. These cracks were among many that opened across the Anchorage and Mat-Su region due to strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Cracks at the north end of the Port of Anchorage, Alaska
Lateral spread cracks at the north end of the Port of Anchorage, Alaska. These cracks were among many that opened across the Anchorage and Mat-Su region due to strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Chugiak extensional cracks, Chugiak, AK
Extensional cracking and settling around private residence in Chugiak.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Ground crack at Sunset Park, Anchorage, AK
Crack observed in 2018 along headscarp of 1964 Government Hill landslide.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
2018 Anchorage Earthquake -- Overflight Photo 1 - 12/03/18
Lateral spreading disruptured Vine Road near Wasilla. Many failures of engineered materials occurred on or adjacent to saturated lowlands filled with organic sediment, silt, or sand.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake -- Overflight Photo 5 - 12/03/18
Ground cracks present the potential for future slope failure during aftershocks or heavy rainfall. These cracks occur at the top of a steep valley wall on the south side of Potter Creek in south Anchorage.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake -- Overflight Photo 4 - 12/03/18
Sediment vented by earthquake-triggered liquefaction at the mouth of the Little Susitna River.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck north of Anchorage, Alaska, on November 30, 2018, at 8:29 a.m. local time (17:29:28 UTC). For the most up-to-date information, please visit the USGS event page, and for estimates of casualties and damage, visit the USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website.