On March 27, 1964 the most powerful earthquake recorded in North America struck in the heart of Prince William Sound at 5:36pm. Buildings fell and entire towns were washed away by the tsunami that followed in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake. However, considering the sheer magnitude of the earthquake, Alaska suffered minimal damage to its residents and economy for a number of reasons. On the contrary, the Alaskan economy temporarily prospered from the ’64 earthquake by receiving additional federal support and funding in a time when military presence was declining, unemployment was growing, and before the drilling of oil in Prudhoe Bay.
“I recall during one tremor, the ground under the driveway opened up and we watched the big Plymouth slide slowly backward into the crevasse. Then the ground shifted again, noisily crushing the car as the crevasse closed.” Julie Persons account of the ‘Great Earthquake of ’64’ is one of many devastating reminders of the tragedy that......
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