On March 9, 1957, a major tsunami struck the Andreanof Islands in Alaska, originating from an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.6. According to the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, the event began at 14:22:31.9 UTC. The incident resulted in recorded human impacts, including 2 deaths and 1 injury, alongside extreme sea level changes marked by a maximum water height of 32.0 meters.
Event Characteristics and Measurements
Tsunamis of this scale are categorized by high-magnitude seismic triggers beneath or near the ocean floor. For this event, the epicenter was located at latitude 51.499 and longitude -175.626 in the Alaskan region (AK). The official record assigns the event a validity score of 4, indicating definite tsunami occurrence. The associated earthquake magnitude reached 8.6, generating destructive waves that produced a maximum recorded water height of 32.0 meters.
Impact and Record Summary
The historical database tracks specific outcomes associated with the tsunami in the region. The event caused 2 fatalities and 1 injury. The maximum water height of 32.0 meters represents the highest measured wave runup or water level recorded for the event, rather than a uniform height across all affected coastlines.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 1957 Andreanof Islands tsunami occur?
The tsunami occurred on March 9, 1957, at 14:22:31.9 UTC.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake that caused the tsunami?
The tsunami was associated with an earthquake of magnitude 8.6.
What was the maximum water height recorded during the event?
The maximum recorded water height reached 32.0 meters.
Were there any casualties reported from this tsunami?
The official historical record reports 2 deaths and 1 injury.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.