By Buchanan Maldonado
In early December 2025, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed a magnitude-7 quake struck the Yakutat region of Alaska.
Just days later, a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan. The tremor registered as magnitude 7.5–7.6 and occurred off the coast of Aomori Prefecture.
Japanese authorities — including the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) — issued tsunami warnings for multiple prefectures along the northeastern coast. Hundreds of thousands of residents were evacuated as a precaution.
Wave heights reached as much as 70 cm in some ports.
By the following morning, all tsunami advisories had been lifted.
Despite the warnings and evacuation orders, early reports suggest no catastrophic damage or major casualties so far. There were injuries — some serious — but no mass destruction.
Still, the rapid sequence — a strong quake in Alaska followed by a powerful quake in Japan — has raised concern among seismologists and disaster-preparedness officials. The JMA issued an elevated “megaquake advisory,” warning that the risk of another large quake (magnitude 8.0 or more) is now higher over the coming days.
Authorities emphasized that while a megaquake is not guaranteed, the recent quakes could act as foreshocks — making readiness and vigilance critical.
For everyone — whether in earthquake-prone regions or not — these events underscore a broader lesson: natural disasters can strike suddenly and unpredictably. As an insurance broker, I help clients prepare financially for unexpected tragedies like earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters.
If you’d like — I can review your current coverage or help build a plan tailored to your home, assets, and risk profile. Visit my site at Quote.BuchananMaldonado.com to get a free quote and ensure you’re protected before disaster strikes.
Buchanan Maldonado 