Large Earthquake Hits Central Alaska
Submitted by Kasey Gillam
Phone: (907) 474-7581
11/04/02
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake rocked Alaska at 1:12 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002. The tremblor’s epicenter was recorded some 90 miles south of Fairbanks and is the largest earthquake to hit the state since 1964.
No injuries were reported at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, however isolated incidents of minor damage as a result of items falling off shelves were reported. A water leak in UAF’s Elvey Building was reported and quickly repaired.
All major roads, including railroads and bridges, within the university service area were surveyed and no significant damage was recorded.
Sections of some of Alaska’s highways have been damaged by the earthquake including the Richardson Highway, Parks Highway, Alaska Highway and the Tok cutoff.
More information about the earthquake can be found at:
UAF Geophysical Institute Alaska Earthquake Information Center
Earthquake preparedness tips can be found at:
UAF Alaska Earthquake Center and UAF Cooperative Extension Service