MONTH SEISMICITY REPORT FOR MAY 2024

During the month of May 2024, the Alaska Earthquake Center reported 3368 earthquakes within the state and the neighboring regions, with magnitudes ranging between 0.5 and 5.92 and depths between 0 and 223 km. The largest earthquake was magnitude 5.92 that occurred on May 19 at 01:35:22 AKDT (May 19, 09:35:22 UTC), 108 miles SW of Nikolski in Fox Islands.

Nineteen days earlier, on May 1, a M5.5 earthquake was recorded 58 miles SE of Mt Cleveland. During next week, this event was followed by about 120 aftershocks of magnitude 2.0-5.4.

Also a magnitude 5.2 occurred  128 miles SE of Akutan on May 5th. The total number of earthquakes with magnitude greater than 4.0 was 25 in May.

The largest number of DYFI (Did You Feel It) responses, 148, came from the M4.8 earthquake that occurred May 11 at 5:53 PM AKST 36 miles W of Anchor Point. It was felt throughout  Kenai Peninsula, Cook Inlet communities  and as far as Anchorage.

We reported seismic sources other than regional tectonic earthquakes. Of these, 39 were suspected quarry blasts (magnitudes M=0.8-21.92), most of which were located in the vicinity of either Fort Knox or Usibelli mines in Interior Alaska,  80 icequakes (magnitudes M=0.9-2.12), primarily located in the Prince William Sound, Icy Bay, and Yakutat Bay areas, as well as at Brady Glacier. We characterized 63 quakes  associated with volcanic activity (M=0.8-2.9) mostly in the Katmai group, 2 landslides in the Yakutat Bay Area, one of which was confirmed and ground truthed.

Eight earthquakes were reported as  felt in May.

NOTABLE EVENTS IN DESCENDING ORDER OF MAGNITUDE


Magnitude 5.9, 56 miles S of Chagulak Island, May 19 01:35:22 AKDT
Magnitude 5.5, 57 miles SE of Herbert Island, May 1 22:58:03 AKDT
Magnitude 5.4, 59 miles SE of Herbert Island, May 1 23:10:52 AKDT
Magnitude 5.3, 63 miles SE of Herbert Island, May 1 23:06:27 AKDT
Magnitude 5.2, 126 miles S of Westdahl Peak, May 5 00:27:50 AKDT
Magnitude 5.1, 52 miles SE of Herbert Island, May 1 23:01:52 AKDT
Magnitude 5.0, 45 miles S of Chagulak Island, May 19 03:21:15 AKDT
Magnitude 4.8, 16 miles SE of Iliamna Volcano, May 10 17:53:06 AKDT
Magnitude 4.7, 57 miles SE of Herbert Island, May 2 03:05:31 AKDT
Magnitude 4.6, 21 miles SE of Herbert Island, May 14 05:49:48 AKDT

This report was compiled by N. Kozyreva

The data in this report are preliminary and subject to revision. The earthquake parameters have been determined by the AEC, with supplemental data provided by the USGS National Earthquake Information Center. The data are released on the condition that none of the cooperating agencies may be held liable for any damaged resulting from its authorized or unauthorized use.

For more information on earthquakes and seismology, contact the AEC at 907-474-7320.