Remembering the Great Alaska Earthquake 62 years later

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Sixty-two years ago, on March 27, 1964, the second-largest earthquake ever recorded hit Alaska. The largest quake to ever hit the Northern Hemisphere, the magnitude 9.2 quake changed the state forever.

Editor’s note: This video story was originally published on March 27, 2024 — the 60th anniversary of the Great Alaska Earthquake — and is being republished to tell the story of those involved. Some elements of this story have been slightly edited to reflect the timely nature of the story.

On this day, the land gave way as buildings crumbled and roads were destroyed. Devastating and deadly tsunamis flooded many coastal communities, forever changing the landscape of Southcentral Alaska.

In this special presentation, we hear from people who felt the ground move violently that evening, who ran from tsunamis and who watched their communities fall apart.

We look at why the earth ruptured that evening and if it could ever happen again. We also talk to the scientists who are still studying this earthquake and resulting tsunamis 62 years later.

We remember this day to not forget the lives lost in 1964 and as a reminder that it could happen again. Be sure to use the tools and resources linked below to help keep you and your family safe. We don’t know when the next earthquake or tsunami will strike Alaska, but we do know they will happen and we need to be prepared for them.

• What goes in an emergency kit?
• Interactive tsunami inundation maps for Alaska
• The latest earthquake and tsunami news

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