Anatomy of a 7.1 earthquake: Geologists examine data from powerful Sunday shaker

ANCHORAGE -

Geologists are still studying the aftermath of Sunday's earthquake. They say it's no surprise that the quake was centered beneath a section of Cook Inlet some 160-miles southwest of Anchorage, an area that spawns thousands of earthquakes every year.

But what has caught geologists off-guard was the power the shaker generated. Geologist Peter Haeussler, of the U.S. Geological Survey, says the event on Sunday was by far the largest ever in Cook Inlet.

According to Haeussler, the epicenter was located along a section of where the Pacific Plate slips under the North American Plate. He says the Pacific Plate moves two to three inches a year and that movement can build up tension miles underground. Haeussler says that area is mostly known for quakes with a magnitude of four or five. Sunday's shaker measured 7.1.

Haeussler says most of Alaska's population lives on the Pacific Plate. He says Sunday's big shaker was a good reminder that Alaska is earthquake country.

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