At 8:03 p.m. ADT (04:03 6/10 UTC) on a Sunday evening, June 9, 1996, a major earthquake occurred in the Andreanof Islands region of Aleutian Islands. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake, the largest earthquake to occur in North America in the previous ten years, was preceded by several foreshocks the day before; the largest of which had moment magnitude 6.5.

This mainshock was felt with on Adak Island and Atka. Some damage was reported from these earthquakes, but there were no reports of injuries.