Alaska Earthquake Center — Member Organization
Alaska Earthquake Center (AEC) — primary seismic monitoring organization for Alaska.
About the Alaska Earthquake Center
The Alaska Earthquake Center (AEC) is the primary earthquake monitoring organization for the state of Alaska, operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. The AEC maintains a network of more than 300 seismometer stations distributed across Alaska's vast and varied terrain, from the Arctic coast to the southernmost Aleutian Islands, enabling near-real-time detection and reporting of earthquakes throughout the state.
As one of the anchor member organizations of the Alaska Earthquake Alliance, the AEC contributes essential scientific expertise and monitoring capabilities to the Alliance's mission of earthquake preparedness and public education. The AEC's scientific staff includes seismologists, geophysicists, and emergency support personnel who process earthquake data, conduct research, and communicate hazard information to government agencies, the media, and the general public.
The AEC operates in partnership with the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, sharing data and computational resources to improve earthquake monitoring and hazard assessment throughout the region. This collaborative approach ensures that Alaska's seismic data is integrated into national and international earthquake databases and that monitoring gaps are minimized even in Alaska's most remote areas.
Beyond routine monitoring, the AEC conducts research on Alaska's seismic hazards, including studies of the Aleutian megathrust, volcanic seismicity in the Aleutian arc, crustal fault systems in the interior, and the effects of glacial unloading on earthquake frequency and distribution. This research informs seismic hazard assessments used in building codes, infrastructure design, and emergency preparedness planning throughout the state.
Alaska Earthquake Center's Role in Public Safety
One of the AEC's most visible public roles is providing rapid earthquake notifications to Alaska residents, government agencies, and the media following significant seismic events. The AEC's website and social media channels are among the first sources Alaskans turn to after feeling an earthquake, seeking information about the earthquake's location, magnitude, and potential for aftershocks or tsunami generation.
The AEC also operates the "Did You Feel It?" reporting system for Alaska, which collects firsthand reports from residents who felt an earthquake. These reports provide valuable data on how shaking was distributed across different communities and help calibrate the AEC's instrumental measurements. Public reports are particularly valuable in parts of Alaska where seismometer coverage is sparse.
The center works closely with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center to provide rapid assessments following major earthquakes. When a large earthquake occurs in a potentially tsunamigenic location, the AEC's rapid magnitude determination is a critical input to the tsunami warning decision-making process.
Alliance Member Organizations
The Alaska Earthquake Alliance brings together a diverse network of organizations united by the shared goal of reducing earthquake risk in Alaska. Members include federal and state agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and community groups. The Alaska Earthquake Center's participation as a founding member brings scientific credibility and technical depth to the Alliance's preparedness and educational programs.
Learn more about the Alaska Earthquake Alliance and its member organizations.