A team of researchers from the Yukon Geological Survey is conducting aerial surveys in a remote mountainous region in southwest Yukon to investigate the aftermath of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that shook the area in December. The earthquake, which occurred near the Alaska-Yukon border, has provided confirmation of a previously hypothesized fault concealed beneath the Earth’s surface.
The convergence of two major plate boundary systems in the southwestern corner of the Yukon has been described as a unique feature by experts like Michael West, Alaska’s state seismologist and research professor at the Alaska Earthquake Center. This area, where significant earthquake activity had not been historically recorded, has sparked interest among geologists due to the intersection of these massive plate boundaries.
Jan Dettmer, geoscience research manager at the Yukon Geological Survey, highlighted the significance of directly observing the fault that had been theorized since the 1960s. The earthquake event has garnered international attention as it unveils new insights into the region’s geological processes.
The earthquake, which struck at 12:41 p.m. local time on Dec. 6, was most strongly felt in Burwash Landing and Haines Junction, with tremors reaching as far as Whitehorse, approximately 250 kilometers away. Residents, like Pascale Dubois from Burwash Landing, described the intense shaking that led them to fear for their safety, although the impact was largely limited to a few items falling off shelves.
Following the earthquake, field reconnaissance efforts by the Yukon Geological Survey have revealed landslides and other evidence of the seismic activity, offering researchers an opportunity to study the mechanism of deformation in the area and understand the ongoing mountain-building processes.
As the research continues, experts anticipate that mapping the fault lines beneath the surface will enhance knowledge of seismic hazards in the region and help assess the potential risks to nearby communities. The collaborative efforts of researchers worldwide aim to unveil a new set of fault lines and deepen the understanding of earthquakes in the area.