The Alaska Earthquake of March 27, 1964

Summary

This is the second in a series of six reports that the U.S. Geological Survey published on the results of a comprehensive geologic study that began, as a reconnaissance survey, within 24 hours after the March 27, 1964, Magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake and extended, as detailed investigations, through several field seasons. The 1964 Great Alaska earthquake was the largest earthquake in the U.S. since 1700. Professional Paper 542, in 7 parts, describes the effects of the earthquake on Alaskan communities.

■ Professional Paper 542–A Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Anchorage, Alaska, by Wallace R. Hansen.

■ Professional Paper 542–B Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Whittier, Alaska, by Reuben Kachadoorian.

■ Professional Paper 542–C Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Valdez, Alaska, by Henry W. Coulter and Ralph R. Migliaccio.

■ Professional Paper 542–D Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, in the Homer Area, Alaska, by Roger M. Waller, with a section on Beach changes on Homer Spit, by Kirk W. Stanley.

■ Professional Paper 542–E Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Seward, Alaska, by Richard W. Lemke.

■ Professional Paper 542–F Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, on the Communities of Kodiak and Nearby Islands, by Reuben Kachadoorian and George Plafker.

■ Professional Paper 542–G Effects of the Earthquake of March 27, 1964, on Various Communities, by George Plafker, Reuben Kachadoorian, Edwin B. Eckel, and Lawrence R. Mayo.

The Alaska Earthquake Professional Papers

The U.S. Geological Survey published the results of investigations of the Alaska earthquake of March 27, 1964, in a series of six Professional Papers.

■ Professional Paper 541 is an introduction to the story of a great earthquake—its geologic setting and effects, the field investigations, and the public and private reconstruction efforts.

■ Professional Paper 542 describes the effects of the earthquake on Alaskan communities (this page).

■ Professional Paper 543 describes the earthquake’s regional effects.

■ Professional Paper 544 describes the effects of the earthquake on the hydrologic regimen.

■ Professional Paper 545 describes the effects of the earthquake on transportation, communications, and utilities.

■ Professional Paper 546 is a summary of what was learned from a great earthquake about the bearing of geologic and hydrologic conditions on its effects, and about the scientific investigations needed to prepare for future earthquakes

First posted August 27, 2013