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State of Alaska
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Departments
State Employees
Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Planning Section

Current SEOC level: 1 — Routine Operations
You are here: DHS & EM Plans Geohazards
Current as of: 5/20/2026

Geohazards Mitigation

Geohazards Mitigation

Alaska is one of the most geologically active places in the United States. Earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic activity can affect communities, transportation routes, critical infrastructure, and emergency response operations across the state.

The DHS&EM Geohazards Mitigation Program supports community preparedness, hazard awareness, planning, outreach, and coordination with scientific and emergency management partners.

Use the sections below to learn more about major geohazards in Alaska and access trusted resources.

Tsunamis

Many Alaska coastal communities face tsunami risk from nearby earthquakes, distant earthquakes, and landslide-generated waves. Preparedness includes understanding evacuation routes, official warning products, inundation maps, and local response procedures.

Featured Resources:

Alaska Tsunami Hazard Map Tool
https://earthquake.alaska.edu/tsunami/inundation

DGGS Tsunami Inundation Mapping Publications
https://dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/tsunami

National Tsunami Warning Center
https://www.tsunami.gov/

NWS TsunamiReady Program
https://www.weather.gov/tsunamiready/

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a regular part of life in Alaska. Preparedness includes securing homes and workplaces, knowing what to do during shaking, and planning for possible impacts to roads, power, communications, utilities, and emergency services.

Featured Resources:

Alaska Earthquake Center
https://earthquake.alaska.edu/

Recent Alaska Earthquakes
https://earthquake.alaska.edu/earthquakes/recent_list

Earthquake Preparedness Resources
https://earthquake.alaska.edu/Prepare_Shaking_resources

DHS&EM Earthquake Preparedness
https://ready.alaska.gov/Plans/Earthquakes

Landslides

Landslides can occur on steep slopes, coastal bluffs, river corridors, and mountainous terrain. In some coastal areas, landslides may generate localized tsunamis with little or no warning. Awareness, monitoring, mapping, and local planning are important tools for reducing risk.

Featured Resources:

DGGS Alaska Landslide Hazards Program
https://dggs.alaska.gov/hazards/landslides.html

DGGS Landslide Reporter
https://dggs.alaska.gov/hazards/landslide-reporter.html

USGS Landslide Hazards Program
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards

Barry Arm Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/science/barry-arm-alaska-landslide-and-tsunami-monitoring

Volcanoes

Volcanic activity in Alaska can produce ashfall, aviation hazards, local ground hazards, and community disruptions. Monitoring official volcano alerts and understanding ashfall preparedness are important steps for communities and residents.

Featured Resources:

Alaska Volcano Observatory
https://avo.alaska.edu/

USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory
https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/avo

AVO Current Activity
https://avo.alaska.edu/activity/

What DHS&EM Supports

DHS&EM’s geohazard mitigation work focuses on practical preparedness and coordination. Our goal is to help communities understand hazards before an event occurs and connect them with trusted information, planning support, and technical partners.

DHS&EM supports:

  • Community outreach and education
  • Coordination with scientific partners
  • Use of hazard maps and technical products in local planning
  • TsunamiReady and other preparedness efforts
  • Workshops, exercises, and public awareness activities
  • Connection to trusted state, federal, academic, and local resources

Planning for Geohazards

Geohazard preparedness works best when communities understand their risks before an event occurs. DHS&EM encourages communities to use available hazard maps, emergency plans, evacuation guidance, public education tools, and official warning sources to support local preparedness.

Helpful planning topics include:

  • Know your local hazards
  • Identify evacuation routes and assembly areas
  • Understand official warning sources
  • Prepare for communications and transportation disruptions
  • Include geohazards in local emergency plans and exercises
  • Coordinate with local, tribal, state, federal, and scientific partners

Partner Agencies

Alaska Earthquake Center
https://earthquake.alaska.edu/

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
https://dggs.alaska.gov/

National Tsunami Warning Center
https://www.tsunami.gov/

National Weather Service Alaska Region
https://www.weather.gov/alaska/

Alaska Volcano Observatory
https://avo.alaska.edu/

U.S. Geological Survey
https://www.usgs.gov/