Alaska Earthquake 1964

The Devastating 1964 Alaskan Earthquake: The Strongest Recorded in North America

The Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964

A Seismic Catastrophe on Good Friday

On March 27, 1964, at 5:36 pm AKST (Alaska Standard Time), a colossal earthquake struck the Prince William Sound region of Alaska. Dubbed the "Great Alaskan Earthquake" or "Good Friday Earthquake," it reverberated across the North American continent with unprecedented magnitude.

The earthquake registered a moment magnitude of 9.2, making it the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America and the second-strongest globally behind the 1960 Valdivia Earthquake in Chile. The seismic waves triggered widespread devastation, affecting not only Alaska but also the Pacific Northwest states of Washington and Oregon.

The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 70 miles (110 km) east of Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska at the time. The violent shaking caused landslides, tsunamis, and widespread structural damage. The city of Valdez, situated at the head of Prince William Sound, was particularly hard-hit, with nearly the entire downtown area destroyed by a tsunami that reached a height of over 20 feet (6 meters).

The earthquake also triggered a series of aftershocks that continued for weeks, exacerbating the damage and hampering relief efforts. The total number of casualties from the Great Alaskan Earthquake is estimated to have been between 115 and 139, while the property damage exceeded $300 million (equivalent to approximately $2.5 billion today).

The Great Alaskan Earthquake had a profound impact on the region, leading to significant changes in building codes and emergency preparedness measures. It also sparked scientific research into earthquake behavior and led to the development of new seismic monitoring systems.