Residents of the North began the New Year with a reminder of the Earth’s power as three significant earthquakes struck the Alaska-Yukon border in rapid succession on New Year’s Eve. The tremors, occurring just over an hour before the midnight countdown, are the latest in a series of aftershocks following the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the region on December 6, 2025.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Events of New Year’s Eve
Between 10:46 PM and 10:55 PM PST, three distinct quakes registered within the same mountainous corridor near the Hubbard Glacier.
- The Initial Jolt: At 10:46 PM, a 5.7 magnitude quake shook the region, centered approximately 140 km west of Haines Junction.
- The Follow-up: Five minutes later, a 5.0 magnitude tremor occurred nearby.
- The Final Shake: At 10:55 PM, a third quake measuring 5.3 magnitude was recorded, completing the 10-minute sequence.
Impact and Felt Reports
Though the epicenters were located in a remote wilderness area, the energy traveled far enough to be felt by communities across the territory:
- Whitehorse: Residents reported light shaking and the swaying of holiday decorations.
- Haines Junction: Stronger vibrations were felt, with some reports of items shifting on shelves.
- Safety Status: No injuries or structural damage have been reported. Earthquakes Canada confirmed that the remote nature of the site prevented any significant impact on infrastructure.
The Science Behind the Shaking
Seismologists explain that these events are part of a “rich aftershock sequence.” When a major fault ruptures—as it did during the December 6 event—the surrounding crust takes months, or even years, to settle into a new equilibrium.
The region is seismically active due to the interaction between the Pacific and North American plates, where tectonic stress is frequently released through the complex fault systems of the Saint Elias Mountains.
Note to Residents: Aftershocks are expected to continue in the coming weeks, though they typically decrease in frequency and intensity over time.
