The death toll of this earthquake was about 125. Summary of the earthquake’s cause and effects from the Alaska Earthquake Information Center. Includes extensive archival footage of the earthquake and aftermath. The Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives has material documenting the aftermath and recovery efforts for the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake in the Archives, the Alaska Film Archives, Oral History, and the Alaska Book Collection. Animations explain the magnitude (Just how big is 9.2? Land effects consisted of a 2 to &foot subsidence of the mainland and Homer Spit, one earthflow at the mouth of a Strong ground motion at Seward lasted 3–4 minutes. THE ALASKA EARTHQUAKE, MARCH 27,1964: EFFECTS ON COMMUNITIES EFFECTS OF THE EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 27,1964, IN THE HOMER AREA, ALASKA The March 27,1964, earthquake shook the Homer area for about 3 minutes. The map shows the epicenter of the 1964 Alaska Earthquake (red star), caused when the Pacific Plate lurched northward underneath the North American Plate. Seismically triggered landslides are one of the greatest geologic hazards in Anchorage. Clips of the Alaska Earthquake from The Alaska Film Archives Explains how Yakutat terrane accretion drives mountain building and crustal fault earthquakes like the 2002 M7.9 Denali Earthquake. (Before March 1964, Alaska had only two of the earthquake-sensing instruments — one in Fairbanks and one in Sitka. It was the largest U.S. earthquake ever recorded, and a turning point in earth science. In addition to the earthquake, the event triggered a major tsunami that caused casualties and damage from the Kodiak Islands to northern California. Thank goodness it all On March 27, 1964 at 5:36pm local time (March 28 at 3:36 UTC) an earthquake of magnitude 9.2 occurred in the Prince William Sound region of Alaska. Read personal accounts of the earthquake and submit your own story. When Earthquake Park first opened, it was an amazing site. 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunamis At 5:36 pm (Alaska time) on March 27, 1964, without warning, the largest recorded earthquake in U.S. history occurred in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. The earthquake lasted approximately 4.5 minutes and is the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. history. It lasted approximately four minutes and affected an approximately 100,000 square-mile area of South Central Alaska with the epicenter over six miles inland from College Fiord. This opinion piece by USGS geologist Peter Haeussler, et al. Menlo Park, CA 94025, USGS Evening Public Lecture SeriesMenlo Park Campus Map, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Mapping, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Data. The quake, which occurred on the Christian holiday of Good Friday, is known as the Great Alaska Earthquake and the Good Friday Earthquake. The pic. commemorates the Alaska Earthquake and examines the advances in knowledge and technology that have helped improve earthquake preparation and response in Alaska and around the world. Landslide and slumping effects in the Turnagain Heights area, Anchorage, Alaska, caused by the March 28, 1964, earthquake. This tsunami was generated by the 9.2 magnitude earthquake under Prince William Sound, Alaska on March 27, 1964. The 1964 earthquake was a defining moment in a territory that had just achieved statehood. MENLO PARK, Calif. — On March 27th, 1964, the second largest instrumentally recorded earthquake worldwide rocked southern Alaska for 4 to 5 minutes. IRIS video directed by Robert F. Butler explaining the science behind the earthquake. Slide-show-illustrated presentation: “The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami
– 50th Anniversary”, Thursday, February 27th, 2014 On the morning of March 28, 1964 (UTC), without warning, the largest recorded earthquake in U.S. history struck Alaska’s Prince William Sound. After the 1964 megathrust earthquake, three-quarters of the Aleutian subduction zone ruptured in … The purpose of the group is to bring together both institutions and individuals who have an interest in reducing earthquake hazards in Alaska. The video features USGS geologist George Plafker who, in the 1960's, correctly interpreted the quake as a subduction zone event. Earthquake history, photos, videos, and more from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. In the first day eleven aftershocks were recorded with magnitudes greater than 6.0. It is the second largest earthquake of the world in the 20th century. The quake had a … The Great Alaska earthquake struck at 5:36 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on March 27, 1964. In addition to the earthquake, the event triggered a major tsunami that caused casualties and damage from the Kodiak Islands to northern California. It is also the second largest earthquake ever recorded, next to the M9.5 earthquake in Chile in 1960. ), rupture processes, elastic rebound, and resulting tsunami. 7 p.m.—Public lecture open to all, (both presentations will be live-streamed over the Internet), U.S. Geological Survey The 1964 Alaska earthquake was a "subduction zone earthquake" (or "megathrust earthquake"), caused by an oceanic plate sinking under a continental plate. Special Earthquakes, Earthquake Sequences, and Fault Zones, Real-time Notifications, Feeds & Web Services. The epicenter of this awesome quake was a mere 45 miles west of Valdez and 14 miles under the earth's crust. On Good Friday, March 27, 1964, the largest earthquake ever to hit North America struck Alaska. The Alaska earthquake of March 27, 1964, magnitude approximately 8.3–8.4, began at 6:36 p.m. Its epicenter was in the northern part of the Prince William Sound area; focal depth was 20–50 km. Ned Rozell’s personal account of his meeting with George Plafker, one of three USGS Geologists who responded to the Alaska quake a few days after event. The shaking lasted for more than four minutes, launching several deadly tsunamis and triggering … The understanding gained from the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake provided the geological framework for assessing the earthquake and tsunami hazards at all convergent margins around the world. This was a great leap forward in resolving key mechanisms of the developing theory of plate tectonics. Hear a first-person account of the event, watch an animation that illustrates the subduction of the Pacific plate under the North American plate, and observe how Valdez was affected. Plafker spent most of the summer in Alaska researching and documenting the earthquake. I enjoyed reading this book about the Alaska earthquake on Good Friday of 1964. April 30–May 2, 2014 in Anchorage, Alaska. Three hours earlier, just before sundown, the most powerful earthquake ever measured in North America struck Alaska… An expanded version (11 min) is also available: 1964 Quake: The Alaska Earthquake briefly recounts the events of March 27, 1964 and explains the scientific and societal importance of the earthquake. Building 3 Auditorium, second floor Excerpt from the TV show “The Big Picture” produced by the US Army in 1966 about the Alaska Earthquake and its tragic effects. The video features USGS geologist George Plafker who, in the 1960’s, correctly interpreted the quake as a subduction zone event. The tsunami killed 124 people, all in North America, most in Alaska. Here the pavement sank 11 feet in response to … Produced by Creative Arts Studio in 1964 for the USGS. Free USGS Public Lecture February 27 A documentary chronicling the first 72 hours after the 1964 Alaska Earthquake and the response to the disaster by the United States Office of Civil Defense, U.S. Military, and local, state, and federal officials. Four out of five earthquakes in the United States occur in Alaska. An examination of the 1964 Alaska Good Friday Earthquake from a (pre- plate tectonics theory) geological point of view. This “Story map” combines an interactive map with historic photos of the earthquake. On March 27th, 1964, the second largest instrumentally recorded earthquake worldwide rocked southern Alaska for 4 to 5 minutes. Oral presentations, poster sessions, exhibits, field trips, business meetings and social gatherings all provide participants the opportunity to meet and share with their peers. An animation that describes earthquakes along the Aleutian subduction zone, one of the most seismically active in the world, and the Queen Charlotte Transform Fault. Siwsan G. 5.0 out of 5 stars Fun details from survivors. On March 27th, 1964, the second largest instrumentally recorded earthquake worldwide rocked southern Alaska for 4 to 5 minutes. USGS published the results of investigations of the Alaska earthquake of March 27, 1964 in a series of six Professional Papers. Seismicity of the United States, 1568-1989 (Revised), Abridged from An animation about tsunami-generating megathrust earthquakes using examples from Japan (2011), Chile (2010), and Alaska (1964) to describe structures that generate deadly tsunamis including: megathrust plate-boundary displacement, deformation of the overriding plate by splay faulting and/or folding, and earthquake-generated landslides. These maps, by Randall W. Jibson and John A. Michael, depict seismic landslide hazards in Anchorage and are an important tool for planning, zoning, and emergency-response preparation. It was about 8:30 pm, on Good Friday, March 27, 1964. Learn about the great leaps in research over the past 50 years. Detailed Description Magnitude 9.2: The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake is a short video relating how the largest quake in U.S. history had profound and lasting impacts on our lives. United States Government Printing Office, Washington: 1993. by Carl W. Stover and Jerry L. Coffman, For the 50thAnniversary, USGS Geologist Emeritus, George Plafker will review major effects of the earthquake with emphasis on the landslides and ground failures due to the unusually long seismic shaking. For example, the tsunamis produced by the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake was one of the first events to demonstrate to scientists that an earthquake It rocked the state with strong ground shaking for 4.5 minutes. Of the 119 deaths attributable to the effects of the ocean, about one-third were due to the open-ocean tsunami: 4 at Newport Beach, Oregon; 12 at Crescent City, California; and about 21 in Alaska. A bigger network was installed after the quake.) A documentary chronicling the first 72 hours after the 1964 Alaska Earthquake and the response to the disaster by the United States Office of Civil Defense, U.S. Military, and local, state, and federal officials. These films were shot by amateur and professional cameramen in the hours and days following the earthquake at locations such as Anchorage, Kodiak, Seward, Valdez, Chenega, Afognak. The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake occurred on Good Friday, March 27th. 9 of 47 10 of 47 Alaska Earthquake March 27, 1964. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1527, Learn about the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 in this video adapted from the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive. Fifty years later, it continues to shape Alaska, its people, and the science of earthquakes. The Alaska Good Friday Earthquake began at 5:36 p.m., March 27, 1964, with a force that measured at the time of 8.3 to 8.6 on the Richter Scale, later upgraded to 9.2. It was the second-largest earthquake ever recorded, second only to Chile in 1960, which experienced a quake of 9.5 Moment Magnitude (Mw). SSA’s 2014 Annual Meeting will provide a stimulating exchange of research on a wide range of topics with colleagues from all over the world. Come learn about the great leaps in research over the last 50 years, and the research still underway to understand the remaining mysteries of earthquake hazards. University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and Archives. Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2019. This is the second largest earthquake ever recorded and the largest ever recorded in North America. Read more. And with hindsight, researchers can inspect the seismic record of the 1964 earthquake and see the pattern of a subduction zone earthquake hidden in the needle scratches. 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake Archive In Honor of Dr. George Plafker. The Big Alaska Earthquake is a riviting story by Linda A. Wingfield about the 1964 earthquake experience in Valdez. The devastating 9.2 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunamis ravaged coastal communities and took over 139 lives. For … The Tenth U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering will provide an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to share the latest knowledge and techniques to mitigate the damaging effects of earthquakes and tsunamis. A tragedy through and through, the 1964 earthquake is a defining point in Alaska and Anchorage history. March 27, 1964 - M 9.2 - The 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded. Landslides, and the waves they generated, destroyed all the ports and most of the small boat harbors and were responsible for most of the casualties. USGS circular published one month after the earthquake by Arthur Grantz, George Plafker, and Reuben Kachadoorian detailing their scientific investigations of the quake. (en Español). It released at least twice as much energy as the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and was felt on land over an area of almost 502,000 square miles (1,300,000 square km). Close-up of Government Hill elementary school, which was destroyed by the Government Hill landslide. Trees in Earthquake park had been left in all kids of odd positions following the 9.2 earthquake that struck Alaska on March 27th 1964. “The 1964 Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami” lecture by George Plafker, USGS Geologist Emeritus. At 5:36 pm on March 27, 1964, the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America, and the second largest in history, rattled coastal Alaska for close to 4 minutes. Alaska 1964 Earthquake Pictures - Anchorage Memories Rare Alaska 1964 Earthquake pictures from survivors tell incredible stories of destruction in Anchorage during the 9.2 Good Friday earthquake. Report abuse. However, Dickerson’s safe passage through the ordeal is … 12 p.m. —Lecture preview for USGS employees and news media representatives In addition to the earthquake, the event triggered a major tsunami that caused casualties and damage from the Kodiak Islands to northern California. Liquefaction in and around Anchorage tore the land apart. Over 10,000 aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake. Uplifted sea floor at Cape Cleare on Montague Island in Prince William Sound in the area of the … Through very complete mapping of vertical deformation and faulting and the application of tectonics, he was first to propose in 1965 that the source of the 1964 Alaska earthquake was a low-angle thrust fault. The earthquake rupture started approximately 25 km beneath the surface, with its epicenter about 6 miles (10 km) east of the mouth of College Fiord, 56 miles (90 km) west of Valdez and 75 miles (120 km) east of Anchorage. Alaska earthquake of 1964, earthquake that occurred in south-central Alaska on March 27, 1964, with a moment magnitude of 9.2. above is Fourth Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska right after the big earthquake of March 27, 1964. At magnitude 9.2, it was the second largest quake ever recorded by seismometers. That event marked a turning point for earthquake science. Map showing ground motion and shaking intensity based on instrumental measurements of shaking along with information about local geology and the earthquake’s location and magnitude. The Alaska Earthquake Center is dedicated to reducing the impacts of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions in Alaska. IRIS webpage dedicated to George Plafker, a USGS field geologist noted for his studies of subduction-zone and backarc thrust earthquakes. Helpful. 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