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3.4 magnitude 'earthquake' near WA was actually from 6.0 Alaska quake

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Published  November 27, 2025 9:56am PST
Earthquakes
FOX 13 Seattle

The Brief

    • A 3.4 magnitude "earthquake" recorded near Clallam Bay, Washington on Thursday morning was actually a false alert.
    • Seismologists say waveforms from a 6.0M earthquake in Alaska were initially recorded as a separate event near Washington.

CLALLAM COUNTY, Wash. - A 3.4 magnitude "earthquake" recorded near Clallam Bay, Washington on Thanksgiving morning was a false alert. Seismologists say waveforms from a 6.0-magnitude earthquake near Anchorage, Alaska were initially recorded as a separate event near Washington.

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Clallam Bay, Washington, on Thanksgiving morning. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit Thursday at around 9:15 a.m. PT. The epicenter was located at a depth of 43.3 miles in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. As of 9:40 a.m., there were no reports of the earthquake being felt. That number may change, as this report was published shortly after the quake was recorded. Anyone who felt it is encouraged to report it to the USGS on its website. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. While many variables are involved, geologists say damage typically does not occur unless an earthquake's magnitude exceeds 4 or 5. Nearby locations include Clallam Bay, Washington; Langford, British Columbia; Colwood, British Columbia; Esquimalt, British Columbia; and Victoria, British Columbia. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

M3.4 earthquake recorded on USGS website, which has since been removed. (USGS)

According to a preliminary report by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was recorded Thursday at around 9:15 a.m. PT, with the epicenter's location marked at a depth of 43.3 miles in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The earthquake has since been removed from the USGS website. 

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network posted an update to its initial alert on social media saying, "This was a false alert. The waveforms were from a M6.0 in Alaska."

The Source: Information in this story comes from the United States Geological Survey and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.

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