2014 Palma Bay earthquake

2014 Palma Bay earthquake
2014 Palma Bay earthquake is located in Alaska
Anchorage
Anchorage
2014 Palma Bay earthquake
UTC time2014-07-25 10:54:49
ISC event606920342
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local dateJuly 25, 2014 (2014-07-25)
Local time02:54 ADT
Magnitude6.0 Mw[1]
Epicenter58°19′N 136°58′E / 58.31°N 136.96°E / 58.31; 136.96[2]
TypeOblique-slip[1]
Areas affectedAlaska
United States
Max. intensityMMI IV (Light)[1]

The 2014 Palma Bay earthquake occurred at 02:54 Alaska Daylight Time on July 25 in the northern southeastern panhandle of the U.S. state of Alaska. The earthquake registered 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IV (Light). It was centered on Palma Bay, 26 miles (42 km) from Elfin Cove and 94 miles (151 km) from the state capital of Juneau.[1] Although there were no injuries or deaths, there were significant disruptions to Internet and telecommunications throughout Southeast Alaska, including to major telecom providers Alaska Communications Systems (ACS) and AT&T wireless, Internet and other communication systems.

Earthquake

The earthquake struck along the strike-slip Queen Charlotte Fault, connecting Alaska's Aleutian Islands tectonic area with Southeast Alaska.[3] The mainshock was preceded by less than one minute by a M5.4 foreshock in the immediate area. There were also a number of other M5 or higher events in the days leading up to the main event, but Alaska state seismologist Michael West stated that there was no evidence that they were related.[4]

Damage

The earthquake caused widespread outages to telecommunications in Southeast Alaska. Cellphone, Internet and other communications were disrupted for customers of ACS and AT&T throughout the day. Businesses in the area were unable to process credit card transactions, and many local websites were inaccessible.[5] Outages were caused by damage to undersea fiber-optic cable serving the area. Other outages included the website of Alaska Electric Light & Power, the area's largest provider of electricity, although electrical service was not disrupted.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d AEIC. "M6.0 July 25, 2014 Palma Bay Earthquake". Alaska Earthquake Information Center. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. ^ M6.1 – 72 km W of Gustavus, Alaska, United States Geological Survey
  3. ^ "Mexico, Alaska and the English Channel: Earthquakes 23-30 July 2014". Decoded Science. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. ^ Kelly, Casey (28 July 2014). "Are Southeast Alaska's recent earthquakes connected?". KTOO-TV. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. ^ "5.9 magnitude earthquake disrupts Southeast telecomms". KTOO-TV. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Quake causes break in communications". Juneau Empire. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2014.