On March 28, 1964, at 03:36:16 UTC, a major tsunami struck the region of Prince William Sound, Alaska (latitude 60.908, longitude -147.339). Triggered by an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2, this event produced a recorded maximum water height of 51.8 meters. The official historical record documented a validity rating of 4, along with 139 deaths and total damages estimated at 400.0 million USD.
Event Characteristics and Measurements
The tsunami was directly associated with an earthquake measuring 9.2 in magnitude. In tsunami science, maximum water height refers to the peak water level measured at a specific point on the coast rather than a uniform height across the entire region. The event recorded a maximum height of 51.8 meters, reflecting extreme localized runup conditions driven by the seismic source in Alaska.
Impacts and Casualties
According to the NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database, the event resulted in 139 fatalities. Economic consequences were substantial, with recorded damages totaling 400.0 million USD. These figures represent the historical accounting maintained in the database for this specific event entry.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Prince William Sound tsunami happen?
The tsunami occurred on March 28, 1964, at 03:36:16 UTC.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake?
The associated earthquake had a magnitude of 9.2.
What was the maximum water height recorded during the tsunami?
The recorded maximum water height reached 51.8 meters.
What were the total casualties and damages?
The event resulted in 139 deaths and caused 400.0 million USD in damages.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.