Alaska Earthquake (1964)

About

The 1964 Alaska Earthquake, also known as the Great Alaska Earthquake or Good Friday Earthquake, occurred on March 27, 1964, at 5:36 PM local time. It had a magnitude of 9.2, making it the second-largest recorded earthquake globally and the largest in U.S. history. The epicenter was near Prince William Sound, approximately 78 miles east of Anchorage. The earthquake lasted nearly five minutes and was felt across much of Alaska and parts of Canada. The earthquake caused significant land changes, with areas rising as much as 38 feet and others subsiding by up to 8 feet. It triggered massive tsunamis, reaching heights of up to 220 feet in Shoup Bay, Alaska. The tsunamis caused extensive damage and loss of life, affecting areas as far away as Hawaii and Japan. The disaster led to over 139 deaths and substantial property damage, prompting major disaster relief efforts and the establishment of tsunami warning systems.