Magnitude 1.5 - 72 miles S of Kaktovik

May 15, 2023 21:45:19 AKDT (May 16, 2023 05:45:19 UTC)
69.1300°N 144.5291°W    Depth 9.4 miles (15 km)

This event has been reviewed by a seismologist





Tectonic Setting of the Brooks Range

Seismicity in the Brooks Range is characterized by intraplate earthquakes associated with mountain building and crustal reorganization. A broad earthquake band extends from northeast of the Brooks Range toward the Beaufort Sea. Earthquake source mechanisms comprise a mixture of strike-slip and normal faulting events, indicative of north-northwest compression and northeast extension. Together with the North Slope, this seismic zone produces a few magnitude 4-5 earthquakes per year.