BUTTE – The large earthquake that hit just outside of Anchorage, Alaska on Friday was picked up by seismic equipment in Butte.
Michael Stickney of the Earthquake Studies Department at Montana Tech reported that the seismograph in Butte clearly recorded the quake.
Initial reports showed a magnitude 7.0 quake and a 5.8 magnitude quake, which is similar to the size of the quake that happened near Lincoln in July of 2017.
“The Lincoln earthquake was well away from populated areas — at least 20 miles from outside of Helena,” Stickney said. “Whereas the Anchorage earthquake occurred almost directly underneath the city, so they were sitting right on top of it.”
He added that Montana has as many earthquakes as Alaska, but often the magnitudes in Alaska are larger than the ones that hit in the Treasure State.
-Reported by John Emeigh/MTN News
(July 6, 2017) A 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook parts of Montana early Thursday.
The U.S. Geological Survey says that quake was centered about 5.5 miles southeast of Lincoln at a depth of about 2.6 miles.
The first shake occurred at 12:30 a.m. and lasted for at least 30 seconds, beginning with a slow tremor and then building in intensity.
It was followed by at least five smaller aftershocks, ranging from 3.8 to 4.9 in magnitude.
The intensity of the main quake is classified as “VI” on the magnitude scale, indicating light damage and strong shaking.
People from across Montana reported feeling the quake, many of them saying that it woke them up.
In addition to scores of reports from in and around Lincoln, reports have been received from Helena, Great Falls, Lewistown, Havre, Kalispell, Missoula, Butte, and beyond. The quake was felt as far away as Seattle, Washington, and Calgary, Canada.
Thousands of people have used the “Did You Feel It?” reporting page on the USGS website.
There have been no reports of injuries or major structural damage, but we have received numerous reports of items shaken off of shelves and counters.
Several 911 call centers reported being swamped with phone calls following the quake and were advising people to only call if they were injured or needed police or immediate medical attention.
A power outage was reported in Lincoln, the town closest to the quake’s epicenter.
The earthquake appears to be the largest to hit Montana since a 5.6 struck outside of Dillon in July 2005.
