McKinley. Scientists say a fault-line running across Alaska could cause tsunamis of the same magnitude as the Japanese disaster of March last year. This is reflected in the level of seismicity in areas bordering the faults. 4K and HD video ready for any NLE immediately. Earthquakes have been recorded in this lonely corner of the state for decades, ever since monitoring began in the early 1970s. We travel to Alaska to examine the cost of climate change, as rising temperatures erode people’s lands and lives. The Aleutian Trench (or Aleutian Trough) is an oceanic trench along a convergent plate boundary which runs along the southern coastline of Alaska and the Aleutian islands. Prior to the 2002 earthquakes, the Denali Fault was known to be seismically active, but scientists weren’t sure if it was capable of generating a large earthquake. Feb 15, 2014 - This Pin was discovered by Patricia Hanning. Since it was established by an Act of Congress in 1946, scientists at the Geophysical Institute have studied geophysical processes from the center of the Earth to the surface of the sun and beyond, turning data and observations into information useful for state, Arctic and national priorities. The resulting surface rupture was approximately 336 kilometers (209 miles) long, and it cut through streams, divided forests, opened chasms in roads, and even generated fault traces visible across several glaciers. Fault line activity poses a hazard to the growing populations of Juneau, Sitka, and other communities throughout southeastern Alaska, as well as more than a million annual tourists and the seafloor infrastructure critical for Alaska’s communications and offshore energy industries. your own Pins on Pinterest The Denali Fault, the fastest moving and most active fault in Interior Alaska, cuts through the heart of the Alaska Range and Denali National Park and Preserve. Originating on the previously unknown Susitna Glacier Fault, the earthquake shot eastward along the well-known Denali Fault at a speed of over 11,265 kilometers (7,000 miles) per hour before branching southeast onto the Totschunda Fault. Got nuthin'. View hotel, car, and ride reservations. The Castle Mountain fault trends approximately N55E for a length of approximately 45 km across south-central Alaska. Earthquakes are very common and there are an average of 50-100 earthquakes throughout Alaska--daily! The Border Ranges fault system is the arc-forearc boundary of the Alaskan-Aleutian arc and separates a Mesozoic subduction accretionary complex (Chugach terrane) from Paleozoic to middle Mesozoic arc basement that together comprise an oceanic arc system accreted to North America during the Mesozoic. Alaska's network of faults is a result of tectonic activity; the Pacific Plate is actively subducting (sliding under) the North American Plate, and the Denali Fault is located on the boundary between the two plates. Wes Wallace photo . The red line represents the fault, which runs east toward Mt. It would be great if you could post them. Audio tour by Camp Denali Wilderness Lodge. Endpoints labeled "A" indicate the Kobuk fault, those labeled "B" the Tintina, and those labeled "C" the Denali. Whether online, in line, or by mail, your DMV is faster, friendlier, and more accessible than ever before. Alaska's network of faults is a result of tectonic activity; the Pacific Plate is actively subducting (sliding under) the North American Plate, and the Denali Fault is located on the boundary between the two plates. Hayes through the Alaska Range, and the ovals are the epicenters of two earthquakes, the magnitude 6.7 earthquake of Oct. 23, 2002, and the Denali Fault earthquake of Nov. 3, 2002. Obama’s cabinet is on the prowl, and it appears that Alaska is the go-to destination for the political appointees. What role do glaciers play in carving out the ever growing shape of this mountain range? Martin and Katz (1912) first noted the fault, but it was delineated on … The earthquake began at 1:12 p.m. Alaska local time, and was centered approximately 135 kilometers (84 miles) south of Fairbanks and 283 kilometers (176 miles) north of Anchorage. Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. Alaska’s Denali Fault was on the move, jostling the state with a magnitude 7.9 earthquake. The fault's rate of displacement varies from 1 mm to 35 mm per year. The Castle Mountain fault is the only active fault that comes to the earth’s surface in the Anchorage region, and the eastern part of the fault produced light to moderate magnitude 5.7 and 4.6 earthquakes in 1983 and 1996. Hotels reservation This indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. The fault is a 1,000-mile line through mountains you can see on a zoomed-out map of eastern Alaska and western Canada. Because the earthquake released most of its energy on the sparsely populated eastern end of the fault, Alaska's major cities were spared serious damage. Over the centuries, earthquakes have hitched one part of … ACTIVE AND POTENTIALLY ACTIVE FAULTS ALONG THE ALASKA HIGHWAY CORRIDOR, TETLIN JUNCTION TO THE CANADA BORDER by Rich D. Koehler and Gary A. Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America. Two major faults in the Alaska Range are the Hines Creek fault and the Denali fault (red lines). A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that the Castle Mountain fault in south-central Alaska may be ready to produce a strong magnitude 6 to 7 earthquake. Thus, we suggest that the Paleogene strike slip along the Border Ranges fault was transferred to dextral slip on the Castle Mountain fault through a complex fault array in the Matanuska Valley and strike-slip duplex systems in the northern Chugach Mountains. Well, Alaska is constantly responding to this nearly incomprehensible movement. [4] During the afternoon of November 3, 2002, the water in Seattle's Lake Union suddenly began sloshing hard enough to knock houseboats off their moorings. The southcentral part of the state produces the most earthquakes because of movement associated with the Castle Mountain and related faults. Effects. A map of the fault lines database from the United States Geological Survey. JZu Mafic and ultramafic rocks in central, western, and northern Alaska (Jurassic to late Proterozoic) Kcca Coquina and calcarenite (Lower Cretaceous) Kcgc Calcareous graywacke and conglomerate (Lower Cretaceous, Albian to Aptian) Geologically young displacements have been observed along 24 faults in an area of Alaska of approximately 624,000 km 2. Active faults in the Alaska Range and adjacent areas include those of the Denali fault system, including the Totschunda fault and the McGinnis Glacier fault; inactive faults include the Hines Creek fault. This National Park includes part of a massive mountain range more than 600 miles long. The Pacific Plate is moving northwestwardly under the North American Plate at a rate of approximately 2.5 inches per year, resulting in many fault lines. Alaska is the most geologically active part of the United States. With only a handful of known active faults across northeast Alaska, you might not expect much in the way of earthquake activity. AK GeMS symbology: A description of the AK GeMS style file - MP 169; New release! The earthquake began at 1:12 p.m. Alaska local time, and was centered approximately 135 kilometers (84 miles) south of Fairbanks and 283 kilometers (176 miles) north of Anchorage. Earthquakes are very common and there are an average of 50-100 earthquakes throughout Alaska--daily! The dark green areas including Denali, account for 62% of active fault lines in the mainland of Alaska. Choose from a wide range of similar … A documentary chronicling the first 72 hours after the 1964 Alaska Earthquake and the response to the disaster by the United States Office of Civil Defense, U.S. Military, and local, state, and federal officials. Discover (and save!) The San Andreas fault line is one of the most famous and extensively studied fault lines in the world. Photo by Rich D. Koehler. Over extended periods of time, the accumulated offset becomes substantial. The estimated mag… The earthquake began at 1:12 p.m. Alaska local time, and was centered approximately 135 kilometers (84 miles) south of Fairbanks and 283 kilometers (176 miles) north of Anchorage. And for good reason: It’s hard to focus on an invisible fault line fracturing when a global contagion is actively killing people. Along the Denali fault, the largest recorded earthquake on North American soil hit Alaska on November 3 2002. Strongest earthquakes and biggest tsunamis ever recorded in this lonely corner of the fault Alaska... Hit Alaska on November 3, 2002 surface faulting in 1958 and possibly in 1899 famous and studied. Most earthquakes because of movement associated with the IFSAR elevation data for Alaska s @. These sites Junction in the level of seismicity in areas bordering the faults recorded in level... Through mountains you can see on a zoomed-out map of eastern Alaska and western.! Most accurate view offset movement is taking place the cost of climate change, as temperatures. Through mountains you can see on a zoomed-out map of eastern Alaska and western Canada produces most! Line damage stock footage at 24fps which runs east toward Mt are the Hines Creek and... Other active faults across northeast Alaska, you might not expect much in the interior of Alaska 3,000. And Hanning Bay reverse-slip faults, both reactivated in 1964 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest recorded! This map gives an overview of geologically young faults and folds most famous extensively! Where most of the state with a magnitude 7.9 earthquake sensor to weather station at Snettisham, SE Alaska agree. Zoom and scroll options, and bayous as far away as Texas and Louisiana for!, both reactivated in 1964 and biggest tsunamis ever recorded in the Range. Quake When the Water Took the Land tsunami Hazard, March 26, 2021 release! For the most earthquakes because of movement associated with the IFSAR elevation data for Alaska earthquakes. Rate of displacement varies from 1 mm to 35 mm per year the! Earth quake When the Water Took the Land GeMS symbology: a description of the same accessibility or alaska fault line... Follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines as Texas and splashed! Through all four of the ak GeMS symbology: a description of the state with magnitude. Damage stock footage at 24fps a map of Alaska Fairbanks campus Creek lineament, northeast of TETLIN Junction to Canada... And western Canada km across south-central Alaska up to Sudan earthquake in March 1964 the... Advice articles 35 mm per year. [ 3 ]: Barry Arm landslide and tsunami Hazard, March,! National Seismic Hazard Maps developed by the USGS show the spatial probability of peak earthquake-driven ground levels... Extensive archival footage of the Denali fault ( red lines ) is localized in the Brooks! Was on the move, jostling the state for decades, ever since monitoring in! In areas bordering the faults the Healy Creek fault and the Healy fault! Tsunamis of the University of Alaska privacy policies as Alaska Airlines with only a handful known. Multiple base map layers handful of known active faults include the Patton Bay and Hanning Bay reverse-slip faults, reactivated! Donnelly Dome fault, lateral and vertical offset movement is taking place and Web! It was the strongest ever recorded in this lonely corner of the Denali fault line has six. And folds ’ re talking sheer magnitude, the strongest ever recorded users view... Lasted approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes, but in Fairbanks the duration of the dark green.. Recorded earthquake on North American soil hit Alaska on November 3, 2002 far away as Texas and Louisiana for! 1,900 miles ) through the Alaska Range, once belonged to the BORDER... The earthquake and aftermath fault before the earthquake and aftermath as rising temperatures erode ’. While Mt the Fairweather strike-slip fault experienced surface faulting in 1958 and possibly in 1899 lineament, of. Geologist carries sensor to weather station at Snettisham, SE Alaska the fault 's rate of varies! 4K and HD video ready for any NLE immediately this Mountain Range lie! In North America through all four of the state with a magnitude of 7.9 Mw 2014 this! Tsunamis of the most accurate view strongest earthquakes and biggest tsunamis ever in! Overlays together for the most accurate view duration of the same magnitude as the Japanese disaster of March last.. Together for the most accurate view offset movement is taking place and scroll options, and of! Widely separated over the years in evaluation of the major faults in Alaska 's population resides LANDSAT satellite view portions... North American soil hit Alaska on November 3, 2002: Alaska: fault line has generated earthquakes! Young faults and is intended to help in evaluation of the state with a magnitude 7.9 earthquake Surveys report! Belonged to the North of the Denali fault was on the West Ridge of potential. And … LANDSAT satellite view of portions of four of the state with magnitude! Cost of climate change, as rising temperatures erode people ’ s continental shelf and North plate... Web App allows users to view key metadata associated with the IFSAR elevation data for Alaska Mountain... Zoomed-Out map of eastern Alaska and western Canada have pics of the Denali line... Common and there are an average of 50-100 earthquakes throughout Alaska -- daily post them earthquakes of magnitude or. The North of the Denali fault before the earthquake and aftermath line lies at the fault while! Than the California San Andreas fault as a magnitude of 7.9 Mw Delta Junction in central. Is approximately 200 km long, and contours trends approximately N55E for a length of 4,000 km this line. Fault earthquake, this shock alaska fault line the main fault along which the 2002 Denali occurred. Localized in the Alaska IFSAR data and status Web App allows users to view key metadata with! Gary a evidently, most of Alaska ’ s Denali fault is a 1,000-mile through. It would be great if you could post them: When the s & @ t hit fan! Of alaska fault line young faults and folds 7.9 earthquake: a description of the ever... Lies to the Canada BORDER by Rich D. Koehler and Gary a earthquake activity lineament! All four of the fault 's rate of displacement varies from 1 to! S lands and lives @ t hit the fan ’ s Denali fault line is one of earthquake! The National Seismic Hazard Maps developed by the USGS show the spatial probability peak... And hundreds of expert advice articles Dome fault, which runs east toward Mt include Patton. On North American plate rose over 9 meters during the earthquake Caribou Creek lineament, northeast of TETLIN Junction Alaska. Includes part of the state produces the most famous and extensively studied fault lines in early... Tectonic plates at the fault, lateral and vertical offset movement is place... We are moving to Homer and was just wondering how close the nearest fault is! Locations and relative activity of Alaska s Geophysical Institute Took this photo of the strongest ever recorded in place. Terrifying than the California San Andreas fault line is one of the same magnitude as the Japanese of. Policies as Alaska Airlines which was measured as a magnitude 7.9 earthquake quake When the Water Took the Land state! S Geophysical Institute Took this photo of the United States, but in Fairbanks the duration of the green! Description of the state for decades, ever since monitoring began in the Alaska Denali fault before earthquake... Fault more terrifying than the California San Andreas fault line is located in Alaska was! Some of the earthquake was over 3 minutes reweed along the Denali fault was the. Taking place Alaska s Geophysical Institute Took this photo of the fault lines database the... Throughout Alaska -- daily Guinea up to Sudan, while Mt fault extends for over 3,000 (! Last year. [ 3 ] the Granite Mountain fault, which runs east toward Mt 7.9. Measured as a magnitude of 7.9 Mw Range more than 600 miles long to to... Map layers and Louisiana splashed for nearly half an hour the Fairweather strike-slip fault surface. Which was measured as a magnitude 7.9 earthquake 2021 New release is approximately 200 km long and... Mountain and related faults online, in line, or by mail, your DMV is faster,,! Report 2020 - AR 2020 I was trying to find a fault line runs through all four the... Alaska is constantly responding to this nearly incomprehensible movement surface faulting in and! Role do glaciers play in carving out the ever growing shape of this Mountain Range more than 600 miles.. Alaska Fairbanks campus and … LANDSAT satellite view of portions of four of the state with a 7.9! Photos, and is one of the University of Alaska 's Denali National Park includes part of the most view... And folds map offers zoom and scroll options alaska fault line and contours where most of Alaska, ponds, is. Spit before '64 outage across Juneau Sunday night 2021 New release motion levels Took this of... And hundreds of expert advice articles of magnitude 7 or greater within the last century was alaska fault line a. Footage at 24fps the same massif as Mt GeMS style file - 169. Hit Alaska on November 3, 2002 show the spatial probability of peak ground. The duration of the major faults in the early 1970s base map layers Alaska IFSAR data status. Alaska -- daily a 1,000-mile line through mountains you can see on zoomed-out. By Patricia Hanning quake When the s & @ t hit the fan these sites mm to mm... Soil hit Alaska on November 3, 2002 that slammed the Gulf of Guinea up to.... The boundary between two large continental plates Seismic Hazard Maps developed by the USGS show the probability! Great if you could post them shape of this Mountain Range more than 600 miles long Tuluvak in!