The strongest earthquake in American history, measuring 9.2
on the Richter scale, slimmed southern Alaska, creating a
deadly tsunami. Some 131 people were killed and thousands
injured on this day in 1964.
The massive earthquake had its epicenter about 12 miles north
of Prince William Sound. Approximately 300,000 square miles
of U.S., Canadian, and international territory were affected.
Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, sustained the most property
damage, with about 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial
buildings damaged or destroyed in the downtown area. Fifteen
people were killed or fatally injured as a direct result of the
three-minute quake, and then the ensuing tsunami killed
another 110 people.
