1964 Alaska earthquake

The most notable event was the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, a magnitude 9.2 megathrust earthquake. It remains the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. history and the second most powerful ever measured by seismograph. The event caused massive ground fissures, landslides, and destructive tsunamis, resulting in approximately 139 fatalities and widespread devastation across south-central Alaska.

Recently, Alaska has been in the news due to a series of ongoing seismic events. News reports from mid to late 2025 have highlighted clusters of earthquakes striking off the Alaskan coast, some occurring near volcanic areas and others following significant tremors in neighboring regions like Russia. These events serve as regular reminders of the state's high seismic hazard.

This sustained activity keeps Alaska earthquakes a topic of public and scientific interest. The region is continuously monitored due to the potential for major earthquakes to generate tsunamis that can threaten coastal communities locally and across the Pacific Ocean. Anniversaries of past significant quakes also periodically bring the topic back into public discourse.