Strong 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Alaska-Yukon Border, Followed by Dozens of Aftershocks

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook a mountainous and sparsely populated region along the border of the U.S. state of Alaska and Canada's Yukon territory on a Saturday.

The main temblor occurred at 2041 GMT. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this was followed by a significant series of over 30 aftershocks within the subsequent three hours, with magnitudes ranging from 5.1 down to 3.3.

Approximately 155 miles (248 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, the capital of Canada's Yukon, and 230 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska's capital.

In Yakutat, Alaska, a town close to the epicenter, Police Chief Theo Capes confirmed to AFP that the quake, which "lasted surprisingly long, 15 to 20 seconds," resulted in no reported injuries or damages. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System confirmed that there was no threat of a tsunami resulting from the earthquake.