Yukon-Alaska: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near the Yukon-Alaska border in Canada on Saturday afternoon (local time), officials and news reports confirmed. According to Earthquakes Canada, the tremor occurred at a shallow depth of five kilometres.
The quake prompted precautionary measures in the region. Yukon Highways and Public Works announced that the South Klondike Highway will remain closed overnight between kilometre 24 and kilometre 106 due to heightened avalanche risk. Authorities plan to reassess the road conditions in the morning and provide updates online.
Experts noted that seismic activity is not uncommon in this area. Edwin Nissen, Professor of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria, pointed out that earthquakes have previously been recorded in the region in 1899, 1979, 2002, and 2017.
So far, no injuries or property damage have been reported. Residents in the vicinity reported feeling strong tremors, but emergency services confirmed that there have been no immediate threats to life or infrastructure. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
