In March 1964, the strongest earthquake in North America in the twentieth century hit central Alaska, in the area of Prince William Sound.
It measured 8.5 on the Richter scale and lasted for 3 minutes, an enormous amount of time for an earthquake; most last less than a minute.
Many homes and buildings were destroyed by the quake and the landslides and tsunami that resulted, and 125 people were killed.
The quake was felt all over Alaska as well as parts of Canada, and the tsunami caused damage as far away as Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States.
Every year Alaska experiences about 5,000 earthquakes that measure at least 3.5 on the Richter scale.
Three of the world’s 10 worst earthquakes, and 8 of the United States’ 10 worst, on record have occurred in Alaska.
