The December 22, 1962 earthquake

M6.5near Nikolski, Alaska

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake 20.7 miles deep, 45.4 miles off Aleutians West Census Area. The 187th strongest in Alaska’s record since 1900, and the strongest within 50 miles since a magnitude 7.1 on March 10, 1957.

The earthquake

Magnitude: 6.5; moment magnitude (mw)
Depth: 20.7 mi; 33.3 km below the surface
Local time: Saturday, December 22, 1962; 05:20 AST; 15:20 UTC
Epicentre: 52.17°N, 168.77°W; 45.4 mi from Aleutians West Census Area
In Alaska’s record: 187th; strongest of 124,625 since 1900
Within 50 miles: 1; county; more on this date

USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, event iscgem875840 (“86 km S of Nikolski, Alaska”). The USGS event page carries the ShakeMap, felt reports and the official summary.

Counties and cities within 50 miles

Distance from the epicentre to each county boundary (zero when inside) and to each city centre.

Counties

Aleutians West Census AreaAK · 45.4 mi

Earthquakes around the epicentre

2,512 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles of this epicentre since 1973.

Earlier earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more within 50 miles, strongest first

March 10, 1957M7.1
March 9, 1957M6.9
January 22, 1935M6.9
July 22, 1933M6.8
January 1, 1957M6.7
January 1, 1957M6.6
December 20, 1962M6.5
January 1, 1957M6.5
August 11, 1932M6.5
December 20, 1962M6.4

USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog. Local time is the time zone of the county nearest the epicentre. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them.