6.6-Magnitude Quake Hits Aleutians Islands

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA – A strong earthquake stroke Aleutians Islands yesterday night at 7:01p.m. PST.

            According to Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre, the earthquake is measured in a magnitude of 6.6 on Richter scale. The epicenter in the North Pacific about 40 miles east of the village of Nikolski and 850 miles southwest of Anchorage.

           This quake shook three Aleutian Island  fishing villages, Nikolski, Dutch Harbor and Unalaska, for three minutes.The Aleutians are sparsely settled. No reports of injuries or major damage. 

           "There was some very minor damage at Nikolski, with items knocked off shelves and small items damaged," said George Carts. He said the quake felt strongly  in the towns of Unalaska, Dutch Harbor and Nikolski, which are located on western islands in the Aleutian chain.
           
           One measured 20 aftershock in 5.0-magnitude on the scale, none was powerful enough to cause a tsunami, said the officials. However, the magnitude of 6.6 quake can cause severe damage if it hits populated area. The Richter scale measures ground motion and is recorded on seismographs, and each increase of one number means a tenfold increase in magnitude of quake.