The Alaska Earthquake of March 27, 1964

Summary

This is the forth 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 544, in 5 parts, describes the effects on hydrologic regimen.

■ Professional Paper 544–A Effects of the March 1964 Alaska Earthquake on the Hydrology of South-Central Alaska, By Roger M. Waller

■ Professional Paper 544–B Effects of the March 1964 Alaska Earthquake on the Hydrology of the Anchorage Area, By Roger M. Waller

■ Professional Paper 544–C Hydrologic Effects of the Earthquake of March 27,1964 Outside Alaska, By Robert C. Vorhis, with sections on Hydroseismograms from the Nunn-Bush Shoe Co. Well Wisconsin, By Elmer E. Rexin and Robert C. Vorhis and Alaska Earthquake Effects on Ground Water In Iowa, By R. W. Coble

■ Professional Paper 544–D Effects of the March 1964 Alaska Earthquake on Glaciers, By Austin Post

■ Professional Paper 544–E Seismic Seiches from the March 1964 Alaska Earthquake, By Arthur McGarr and Robert C. Vorhis

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.

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

■ Professional Paper 544 describes the effects of the earthquake on the hydrologic regimen (this page).

■ 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 29, 2013