Powerful tremors trigger avalanche fears; key highway closed overnight.

A powerful seismic event shook the northern regions of North America on Saturday afternoon, causing concern along the border between Canada and the United States. According to official reports, a significant earthquake in Canada measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the area where the territory of Yukon meets the Alaskan border.

Details on the Tremors

Data released by Earthquakes Canada confirms the intensity of the event. The agency noted that the quake originated at a relatively shallow depth of just five kilometers. Shallow earthquakes often result in more intense surface shaking compared to deeper seismic events, though the remote location of the epicenter may have mitigated potential disasters.

Immediate Impact and Safety Measures

In response to the tremors, local authorities have moved quickly to ensure public safety. The Department of Highways and Public Works in Yukon announced an emergency overnight closure of the South Klondike Highway.

Specifically, the stretch of road between kilometre 24 and kilometre 106 was shut down effective 5 PM local time. Officials cited a significantly heightened risk of avalanches triggered by the ground shaking as the primary reason for this disruption. Travelers have been advised that the road conditions will be reassessed the following morning, with updates to be posted online.

A History of Seismic Activity

This specific region is geologically active and no stranger to tectonic shifts. Edwin Nissen, a professor and expert in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the University of Victoria, provided context on the area's history. He noted that this zone has experienced significant earthquakes repeatedly over the last century, with major events recorded in 1899, 1979, 2002, and as recently as 2017.

Image Source: Yahoo News Canada