Earthquake Surge Hits U.S. West Coast and Alaska: USGS Monitoring and Early Warning Systems on High Alert

In the past week, the United States experienced a noticeable uptick in seismic activity, particularly in California and Alaska. According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 3 point 0 earthquake was reported just two miles south of Concord in Contra Costa County, California, where over fifty people felt the tremor. Earlier in the week, another small quake struck four kilometers from another California location. These events, while moderate in size, serve as reminders that the state remains one of the most seismically active regions in the nation. On May twenty-eighth, a magnitude 4 point 2 earthquake hit near Redlands, California. Alaska has also seen a series of moderate quakes, including one southeast of Fox River on the same day.

A review of earthquake data from Six Four Two Weather confirms that over the last seven days, Alaska experienced several events of magnitude two point five and above, including tremors near Kokhanok, King Salmon, and Kaktovik. The pattern in Alaska aligns with its reputation as one of the most earthquake-prone states in the US, due to the tectonic interaction of the Pacific and North American plates. Nationwide, more than two hundred events of magnitude two or greater were recorded across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, though most were minor and did not result in significant damage or injuries.

Globally, the largest recorded earthquake in the past week was a magnitude six point five event in Papua New Guinea’s Bismarck Sea region, based on data from the British Geological Survey. Other notable global seismic activity included a magnitude six point zero quake near Tonga and a seven point four event in the Drake Passage south of South America earlier in May.

Earthquake statistics for the year so far, as compiled by Wikipedia, indicate there have been fewer large magnitude events compared to the average over the past decade. As of the end of May, only five quakes worldwide have reached magnitudes in the seven range, which is below typical counts for this period in previous years.

The United States continues to invest in real-time monitoring and early warning systems, such as the ShakeAlert program operating along the West Coast. This system, overseen by the United States Geological Survey, is designed to deliver rapid alerts seconds after an earthquake is detected, providing critical seconds of warning that can help individuals and infrastructure avoid injury or damage. As monitoring capabilities expand and data sharing between agencies improves, authorities remain focused on both rapid response and longer-term preparedness for communities in high-risk areas.