A team of researchers from the Yukon Geological Survey is conducting aerial surveys in a remote mountainous area in southwest Yukon to investigate avalanches and landslides triggered by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit the region in December. This seismic event near the Alaska-Yukon border has validated a long-standing theory by exposing a hidden fault line beneath the Earth’s surface.
The convergence of two major plate boundary systems in the southwestern Yukon region has intrigued experts like Michael West, Alaska’s state seismologist and research professor at the Alaska Earthquake Center. This unique geological setting, where significant plate boundary systems intersect, is often referred to as the “train wreck of plate tectonics.”
While both Alaska and the Yukon are known for their seismic activity, the recent earthquake occurred in an area with historically low seismicity, prompting researchers to explore the connection between the North American plate boundary and interior faults. The earthquake, which struck on Dec. 6, highlighted a geological phenomenon that had been hypothesized since the 1960s but had not been directly observed until now.
Residents of Burwash Landing and Haines Junction in the Yukon felt the earthquake most intensely, with tremors also reaching Whitehorse, approximately 250 kilometers away. A local resident, Pascale Dubois, described the intense shaking that made her fear for the stability of her house during the seismic event.
Despite the earthquake’s magnitude, its impact on Yukon residents was relatively minor, emphasizing the region’s resilience. Researchers are now examining the aftermath of the earthquake in Yukon’s Kluane National Park, where field reconnaissance efforts are shedding light on the fault’s effects on the landscape and the ongoing mountain-building processes in the area.
The seismic event and its aftermath are offering valuable insights into the region’s geological dynamics, with researchers expecting to discover new fault lines and enhance earthquake risk assessments for nearby communities. This research initiative has garnered international interest, with scientists worldwide investigating the earthquake’s implications and anticipating the identification of previously unknown fault systems.
