A driver steered a pickup truck across the Carcross Dunes near the community of Carcross in Yukon on Friday, July 25, 2025, as the sandy landscape stretched out under clear summer skies. The Canadian Press
A series of earthquakes struck near the Alaska-Yukon border just over an hour before the arrival of the new year, according to Earthquakes Canada. The agency said three separate tremors hit the same remote region within minutes of each other on the night of Dec. 31.
The earthquakes occurred in quick succession and caused light shaking in parts of Yukon. Despite their strength, officials received no reports of injuries or damage.
First Quake the Strongest
The first and strongest earthquake hit just before 10:47 p.m. Pacific time. Earthquakes Canada measured it at a magnitude of 5.7. The epicentre sat in Alaska, about 140 kilometres west of Haines Junction.
Residents in Whitehorse reported feeling the shaking, though it did not last long. Officials said they did not expect any damage because of the area’s distance from large population centres.
Aftershocks Follow Quickly
Only minutes later, at around 10:51 p.m., a second earthquake struck the same region. This aftershock registered a magnitude of 5.0 and occurred about 142 kilometres west of Haines Junction.
A third quake followed shortly after, just before 10:55 p.m. Earthquakes Canada measured the final tremor at a magnitude of 5.3. The agency said people in Whitehorse could also feel this quake lightly.
Despite three earthquakes in less than ten minutes, officials confirmed they received no damage reports from Yukon or nearby communities.
A Seismically Active Region
The Alaska-Yukon border sits in a region known for frequent seismic activity. Shifting tectonic plates beneath the surface often cause earthquakes, many of which occur far from towns and cities.
Earlier in December, the same general area experienced a much stronger earthquake. On Dec. 6, a magnitude 7.0 quake struck about 120 kilometres west of Haines Junction. That earlier event also caused shaking but did not result in widespread damage.
Monitoring Continues
Earthquakes Canada continues to monitor seismic activity across the country and along its borders. The agency encourages residents to stay informed but noted that earthquakes of this size in remote areas rarely cause serious problems.
Officials said the cluster of earthquakes late Tuesday night did not increase the risk to nearby communities. They reminded residents that feeling shaking does not always mean danger, especially when earthquakes happen far from populated areas.
As the new year began, the ground had settled once again in the north, leaving behind only a brief reminder of the powerful forces beneath the region.
