This earthquake occurred in the downgoing portion of the subducting Pacific Plate. The Aleutian trench marks the boundary between the subducting Pacific and overriding North American plates in southern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

The elastic-wave radiation pattern of the M6.3 event indicates strike-slip faulting which is consistent with down dip extension of the Pacific Plate as it being pulled into the mantle under its own weight.