A team of researchers from the Yukon Geological Survey is currently using a helicopter to survey a remote mountainous area in southwest Yukon, searching for signs of avalanches and landslides following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that shook the region last month. This earthquake, which occurred near the Alaska-Yukon border on December 6, has provided evidence supporting a long-standing theory: the discovery of a previously unknown fault beneath the Earth’s surface.
The convergence of two major plate boundary systems in the southwestern corner of the Yukon has intrigued experts like Michael West, Alaska’s state seismologist and a research professor at the Alaska Earthquake Center. This unique intersection has been described as the ‘train wreck of plate tectonics’ due to the limited understanding of its dynamics.
While both Alaska and the Yukon are known for their seismic activity, the recent earthquake occurred in an area not historically prone to significant seismic events, prompting researchers to investigate the connection between the North American plate boundary and faults within the plate’s interior. This connection, theorized since the 1960s but never directly observed until now, has garnered international interest for its significance.
The earthquake, which struck at 12:41 p.m. local time on December 6, was most strongly felt in the communities of Burwash Landing and Haines Junction, with tremors reaching as far as Whitehorse, approximately 250 kilometers away. Residents, such as Pascale Dubois from Burwash Landing, recounted intense moments as their surroundings shook, fearing structural collapses.
Although the earthquake caused minimal damage in the Yukon, experts emphasize its substantial magnitude, highlighting the potential devastation such an event could cause elsewhere. The aftermath of the earthquake is visible in the Kluane National Park, where researchers are studying the fault lines and deformation processes that lead to mountain-building activities in the region.
The ongoing research and mapping of these fault lines aim to enhance the understanding of seismic risks in the area and potentially improve community preparedness for future events. The aftermath of the earthquake in Yukon continues to intrigue scientists worldwide, with expectations of discovering new fault systems and further insights into seismic activities in the region.