© Associated PressOfficials on Thursday said 121 homes were destroyed in Kipnuk (pictured after Typhoon Halong ), but all people have been accounted for, October 17, 2025
The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the quake at 11:48am ET, about 39 miles off the coast of Akutan, which is home to nearly 1,600 people.
While a small community, Akutan has the largest fish processing plant in North America, which processes millions of pounds of fish daily.
More than a dozen people have issued reports of shaking to the USGS, with the number increasing. The earthquake struck along the Aleutian Arc, which consists of several active and dormant volcanoes.
The seismic activity to the south comes as thousands of people living in the northwestern region of Alaska are being airlifted to safety.
© Associated PressThe coastal village of Kipnuk was among those hit the hardest. Pictured is the community before the typhoon.
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were among the hardest hit, with homes completely demolished and submerged.
The Aleutian Arc marks the region where the Pacific Plate subducts into the mantle beneath the North American Plate.
© VocanoDiscovery.comThe US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the quake at 11:48am ET, about 39 miles off the coast of Akutan, which is home to nearly 1,600 people
While the earthquake hit nearly 40 miles offshore, the shock waves were strong enough to reach Dutch Harbor, a harbor on Amaknak Island in Unalaska.
Dutch Harbor serves as a crucial center for the largest US and one of the world's largest sustainable fisheries, the Alaska pollock fishery.
It is also an important international shipping hub due to its ice-free status and proximity to major Pacific Rim routes.
© Alaska Na/ZUMA Pressn one of the most significant airlifts in Alaska's history, hundreds were flown about 500 miles to Anchorage, after a shelter in the regional hub city of Bethel was filled with dozens of evacuees, October 17, 2025
The typhoon remnants ripped through Alaska on Sunday, unleashing water levels more than six feet above the highest normal tide line in some areas.
However, remnants of the storm rippled across the Pacific and fueled turbulent weather heading toward Alaska.
As it moves into the North Pacific, the fast-moving jet stream absorbs the typhoon's energy, intensifying storms along the storm track.
This phenomenon, caused by 'recurving typhoons,' can send far-reaching effects across the ocean.
In one of the most significant airlifts in Alaska's history, hundreds were flown about 500 miles to Anchorage, after a shelter in the regional hub city of Bethel was filled with dozens of evacuees.
In Kwigillingok, the US Coast Guard rescued two dozen people from their homes after the structures floated out to sea in high water.
Ella Mae Kashatok, 67, was found dead in Kwigillingok, and authorities on Monday night called off the search for two men, Chester Kashatok, 41, and Vernon Pavil, 71, after their home was swept away.
Officials on Thursday said 121 homes were destroyed in Kipnuk, but all people have been accounted for.
Cellphone service had been restored in Kwigillingok by Thursday, authorities said, and restrooms were operational at the school there, where about 350 people had sheltered overnight Tuesday.
Damage was also serious in other villages. Water, sewer and well systems were inoperable in Napaskiak, according to a statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson with the state emergency management office, said he did not know how long the evacuation would take, explaining that authorities were looking for additional shelters.
The aim is to get people from congregate shelters into hotel rooms or dormitories, he said.
Comment: Alaska clearly isn't top of mind for most American media. Note the date: