Rat Islands, Alaska — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook a remote stretch of the Aleutian Islands Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

What happened:

A magnitude 4.5 quake struck beneath the Rat Islands in the Aleutian chain at 11:27 AM CDT. The USGS placed the epicenter in the far western Aleutians and measured the depth at about 24 miles underground. Seismologists reviewed the event and confirmed the 4.5 magnitude, and the agency flagged no tsunami threat from this quake.

Impacts:

The quake hit one of the most remote corners of Alaska, far from any town or city. Nobody reported feeling the shaking through the USGS "Did You Feel It?" system, and no damage has been reported. Shaking right at the epicenter would have been light — the kind most people sleep right through.

What to do:

- If you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until it stops.

- Once the shaking passes, check your home for hazards — gas smells, broken glass, fallen objects — before moving around.

- Expect aftershocks. Smaller shakes can follow for hours or days after a quake like this.

- Do not head to the coast to watch the ocean after a quake unless officials say it is safe — even when no tsunami is expected.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 19, 2026.