Magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits near Alaskan islands

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake was recorded on March 4 near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake struck shortly before 9 a.m. local time about 139 miles east-southeast of Attu Station, at the western tip of the islands where nobody lives, according to the last Census in 2020.

There was no tsunami threat as a result of the quake, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System.

How powerful is a magnitude 6.4 earthquake?

Magnitude measures the strength of an earthquake. Here are the effects of different magnitudes of earthquake, according to Michigan Technological University:

• Below 2.5: Generally not felt
• 2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage
• 5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings
• 6.1 to 6.9: Serious damage
• 7.0 to 7.9: Major earthquake. Serious damage.
• 8.0 or greater: Massive damage, can destroy communities

Contributing: Elizabeth Weise