1964 Alaskan Earthquake

The 1964 earthquake that took place in Prince William Sound, Alaska took 128 lives and caused about $311 million in property loss. The earthquake is the largest earthquake in US history at a 9.2 magnitude. Interestingly, Anchorage, which is about 120 kilometers northwest of the epicenter, sustained the most severe damage rather than the epicenter itself. Landslides were a large problem, occurring in Anchorage’s downtown business section, at Government Hill, and at Turnagain Heights. Water mains and gas, sewer, telephone, and electrical systems were disrupted throughout the area. The earthquake was accompanied by vertical displacement, ranging from 13-15 meters, over an area of about 520,000 square kilometers. This earthquake was felt over a large area of Alaska and in parts of western Yukon Territory and British Columbia, Canada. Above is a seismograph of the Alaskan earthquake. See if you can locate the arrival of the p and s waves!