A Look Back at the 1964 Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami
Monica Vargas Mar 9, 2017 4:47 pm
The most powerful earthquake in United States history was recorded 53 years ago this month. At 5:36 p.m. local time, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake occurred in the Prince William Sound region in Alaska on March 27, 1964.
In all, 139 people were believed to have died as a result of the earthquake. Fifteen died from the earthquake alone, while 106 died in Alaska, 13 died in California and five died in Oregon all related to tsunamis.
In addition to a tectonic tsunami, about 20 smaller and local tsunamis occurred. Smaller tsunamis were created by submarine and subaerial landslides, and tsunami waves were measured in over 20 countries including Peru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Japan and Antarctica.
The earthquake rupture started approximately 15 miles beneath the surface, with its epicenter about 6 miles east of the mouth of … continue reading »
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