On July 21, 1788 CE, a significant tsunami occurred along the Alaska Peninsula, AK, generated in association with an earthquake. According to the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, this historical event is assigned an event ID of 549 and carries a validity rating of 4, indicating a definite tsunami occurrence.
Event Characteristics and Measurements
The event was directly linked to seismic activity, with an associated earthquake magnitude of 8.0. Official records from the database note a maximum water height of 30.0 meters at the affected location (latitude 57.0, longitude -153.0). This measurement represents the maximum recorded runup or water height observed during the event rather than a uniform height across the entire region.
Geographic and Database Context
The tsunami impacted the Alaska region within the United States. In the standardized hazard classifications maintained by NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, cause code 1 designates an earthquake-generated tsunami. The historical data for this occurrence provide key parameters regarding magnitude and maximum water height for researchers studying historical seismic and tsunami hazards in Alaska.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 1788 Alaska Peninsula tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on July 21, 1788 CE.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake associated with the tsunami?
The associated earthquake had a magnitude of 8.0.
What was the maximum recorded water height for this event?
The maximum recorded water height reached 30.0 meters.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.