On Friday, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Anchorage, Alaska, buckling roads and causing considerable damage to homes and businesses, but thus far there are no reports of deaths or serious injuries.

Alaska is the most seismically active U.S. state, according to U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist John Bellini.  He says 4.0 magnitude earthquakes are a daily occurrence in the state and 5.0 magnitude quakes happen roughly once a week.  But events this powerful near a population center are far less common.

The earthquake's epicenter was just 8.5 miles from downtown Anchorage.  As of 5 p.m. ET Friday, the USGS had noted 50 aftershocks of magnitude 2.5 or greater.  The most intense aftershock registered at 5.7.

Listen to the full podcast as Bellini goes into much more detail about this earthquake, earthquakes in Alaska and around the Pacific's "ring of fire," and what important lessons can be learned from the data gathered from Friday.