1964 Prince William Sound Tsunami Images

Aerial view of Valdez, Alaska, showing extent of inundation along coastline. The town of Valdez was situated on the edge of an outwash delta about 150 km from the generating area. During the earthquake, the shaking caused failure of the unstable, water-saturated material, and a slice, approximately 1,220 m long and 183 m wide, slid into the sea and carried the dock area and portions of the town with it. The slide generated a wave which slammed into the waterfront within two to three minutes of the onset of the earthquake. This wave demolished what was left of the waterfront facilities, caused the loss of the fishing fleet, and penetrated about two blocks into the town. Property damage of $15 million was incurred at Valdez and there were 30 fatalities. Photograph Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior. Source: National Geophysical Data Center.

Aerial view of Seward, Alaska shows damage to oil storage tank which caught fire and leaked their contents.

View of the north end of Resurrection Bay at Seward, Alaska, about 75 km from the epicenter. An overturned ship, demolished Texaco chemical truck, and torn-up dock strewn with logs and scrap metal are visible. At Seward, a community of about 2,300, a section of the waterfront slid into Resurrection Bay. Waves spread in all directions destroying the Alaska railroad docks, washing out railroad and highway bridges, and piling railroad rolling stock into giant windrows of wreckage. It spread flaming petroleum over the waterfront, igniting the rolling stock, the electrical generation plant, and some residences. Resurrection Bay received $14.6 million in damage. Eleven fatalities occurred in the Seward area. Photograph Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior. Source: National Geophysical Data Center.

Earthquake-Related Image

The strongest earthquake felt in North America caused heavy damage in Anchorage, Alaska.

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