6.1-magnitude earthquake rattles Southcentral Alaska


The earthquake was centered near Denali, also known as Mount McKinley. File photo by bcampbell65/Shutterstock

May 31 (UPI) -- A 6.1-magnitude earthquake Southcentral Alaska from Homer to Fairbanks, but resulted in minimal damage, local officials said.

The Alaska Earthquake Center said the temblor was centered 60 miles to the east of Talkeetna and 100 miles northeast of Anchorage and was felt most strongly in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Anchorage areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake affected a largely rural area.

Residents said the tremors were enough to send items flying off the shelves.

"Talkeetna...long rumble followed by a very strong jolt that flexed the house and sent some stuff on shelves to the floor," Mark Westman of Talkeetna said on Facebook. "Then more rumbling. It was a long one. No damage, but the big jolt in the middle definitely rattled the nerves, that one packed a punch." He later added in a message, "It was notable for the duration as well as the big jolt in the middle."

Talkeetna, the area of population closest to the quake's center, has a population of just shy than 1,000 and is perhaps best known for electing a cat named "Stubbs" as mayor. Stubbs died in office in 2017 after 20 years -- a liftetime -- in office.

The outpost is home to a ranger station at Denali National Park and is starting point for those who venture up the peak. Tourism is also prevalent in the area with those from the lower 48 flocking to its natural beauty for fishing during the salmon run and rafting

The earthquake was he strongest to hit the region since a 7.1-magnitude in 2018.