How it began Years of plate tectonic activity

How it began… • Years of plate tectonic activity created pressure along a fault line causing the earthquake. • On March 27, 1964 at 5: 36 PM the earthquake began. • The initial seismic waves were so powerful that some buildings as far away as Seattle were swaying.

During the Earthquake… • For almost 5 minutes the ground shook, causing houses and buildings to twist and collapse. • The Good Friday Earthquake had a magnitude of 9. 2 on the Richter Scale.

Effects of the Earthquake… • This earthquake was the second largest earthquake ever recorded in world history, leaving Anchorage in ruins. • There were almost 10, 000 aftershocks of the quake that lasted for 18 months after the disaster.

More effects… • Some of the effects of the earthquakes can still be seen today: dead trees, piles of ruins, and remnants of some of the destroyed structures. • 115 lives were lost during the 1964 earthquake as a result of the earthquake that covered more than 25, 000 square miles of land. • Damage was also done to neighboring cities. Valdez, the city closest to the epicenter, was completely destroyed.

Alaska & Earthquakes… • This quake altered more of the earth’s crust than any other earthquake on record. • Alaska is one of the world’s most seismically active areas. • 11% of the world’s earthquakes occur in Alaska.

Some of the damage…

Affected Areas

• The ground rose and fell in waves and huge cracks opened and snapped shut in the ground.

Uprooted trees and houses…

More damage…

Resources • http: //www. greatlandofalaska. com/referenc e/Good. Friday. Quake. html • http: //www. valdezalaska. org/ history/earthquake. html • http: //www. photolib. noaa. gov/ historic/c&gs/theb 1340. htm