Oregon Field Guide

Tsunami Anniversary

March 26, 2014 10:02 p.m.

The March 27, 1964 "Good Friday" earthquake rocked Southcentral Alaska with 5 minutes of shaking. The magnitude 9.2 earthquake left communities in ruins and triggered a tsunami that traveled south at over 500 mph towards Oregon. When the tsunami struck Oregon and California hours later, it destroyed homes, flooded communities and killed 11 people. It remains the largest tsunami in U.S history.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

MORE INFORMATION
Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse
1964 Earthquake and Tsunami Information

___________________________________________________

Producer - Ed Jahn
Editor/Videographer - Todd Sonflieth
Additional Video - Greg Bond, Tom Shrider. William Ward
Special Thanks - Eric Geist, USGS; USGS & Dept. Of Defense; Alaska Film Archives - University of Alaska Fairbanks; Del Norte County Historical Society Photograph; Walt Harris Collection; NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation); NOAA/NWS/Pacific Tsunami Warning Center; DOGAMI; Jim Newman, Producer (2009 Tsunami Story)


THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Become a Sustainer now at opb.org and help ensure OPB’s fact-based reporting, in-depth news and engaging programs thrive in 2025 and beyond.
Hurry! Don’t let the sun set on another day without becoming a member. Support OPB’s essential journalism and exploration in 2025 and beyond. Make your special year-end contribution now. 
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: