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5.1.5.wavIn 1964, the state's residents were reminded of Alaska's volatile geological location on the Ring of Fire. On Good Friday, March 27, a megathrust earthquake struck Alaska. Caused by the Pacific Plate diving under the North American plate, the quake had a magnitude of 9.2, making it the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded in world history.
Damage from the massive earthquake was widespread. Most of downtown Anchorage was heavily damaged, and hundreds of homes were destroyed. The coastal towns of Seward, Kodiak, Whittier, Seldovia, and Valdez all suffered major damage, the worst of which came from tsunamis generated by the quake.
4th Avenue, Downtown Anchorage
The tsunamis also caused the majority of earthquake-related deaths. In Valdez, 32 people died when an underwater landslide created a tsunami that destroyed the city's docks and harbor. Afterward, the city was rebuilt several miles inland to safer ground. Perhaps the most tragic event happened at the Alutiiq village of Chenega. There a 65 foot tsunami wave killed 1/3 of the village's population. Like Valdez, the town was moved to a new site. In total, 139 people died from earthquakes and resulting tsunamis.
The economic damage was $4 billion in current dollars. The federal government and private industry responded quickly to help Alaska recover. Hundreds of engineers, architects, electricians, and gas workers were flown in to help with the initial recovery. But it would take months to clean up the debris and years to rebuild the infrastructure damaged by the quake. The Anchorage neighborhood Turnagain Heights, which was completely destroyed, was turned into a memorial called Earthquake Park.
Seward Waterfront after Tsunami
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