Alaska Earthquake in 1964 Strongest in US History

The 1964 Alaska earthquake, also known as the Great Alaskan Earthquake, the Portage Earthquake and the Good Friday Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that began at around 5:36 P.M. AST on Good Friday , March 27, 1964. Across south-central Alaska, ground fissures, collapsing buildings, and tsunamis resulting from the earthquake caused about 131 deaths.

Lasting nearly four minutes, it was the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. and North America n history, and the second most powerful ever measured by seismograph. It had a magnitude of 9.2, at the time making it the second largest earthquake in recorded history.

The powerful earthquake produced earthquake liquefaction in the region. Ground fissures and failures caused major structural damage in several communities, much damage to property and several landslides. Anchorage sustained great destruction or damage to many inadequately engineered houses, buildings, and infrastructure (paved streets, sidewalks, water and sewer mains, electrical systems, and other man-made equipment), particularly in the several landslide zones along Knik Arm. Two hundred miles southwest, some areas near Kodiak were permanently raised by 30 feet (9.1 m). Southeast of Anchorage, areas around the head of Turnagain Arm near Girdwood and Portage dropped as much as 8 feet (2.4 m), requiring reconstruction and fill to raise the Seward Highway above the new high tide mark.

Meanwhile, a new earthquake struck Alaska early Friday morning of September 2, 2011. The strong subsea 6.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded near the Fox Islands of Alaska.

According to United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck at a depth of 35.5 km. Its epicenter was located 45 km (27 miles) SW of Amukta Island, Alaska; 85 km (52 miles) SW of Yunaska Island, Alaska; 1658 km (1030 miles) WSW of Anchorage, Alaska; and 2410 km (1497 miles) W of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

No casualties, damage or injuries were reported after the recent Alaska earthquake.

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