combined - has taken steps to raise earthquake safety standards.Īfter Alaska was hit with the jaw-dropping 9.2 Great Alaska Quake of 1964 - the largest in recorded U.S. In recent decades, this earthquake-prone state - which averages 40,000 earthquakes a year, with more large quakes than the 49 other states state in the U.S. However, seismic experts and leaders in Alaska are stating that the real reason the recent earthquake in Alaska was not more destructive can be attributed to one major factor: updated building requirements that properly reflect the severity of risk. In comparison, the magnitude 6.7 Northridge Quake of 1994 - which caused billions in damage and killed more than 50 people - hit directly beneath the suburban San Fernando Valley in California and was much shallower at just 11 miles underground.

Even though the quake struck in a highly populated area, the epicenter was relatively deep - about 25 to 30 miles below the ground - so that much of the energy was released before reaching the surface. In the end, it might all come down to a host of factors, including geological luck and strong building codes. The shaking started with a sharp jolt and lasted for a minute, yet no large buildings collapsed, only a handful of structure fires occurred, and although there was damage there was no loss of life. 30, 2018, officials braced for the worst.

When a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck just eight miles outside of Anchorage, Alaska, at 8:29 a.m.

Alaska quake of 1964