1964 Earthquake in Anchorage Alaska

Survivors of the 1964 earthquake in Anchorage Alaska, tell their stories.

See What Survivors Lived Through

The newsreel footage above, narrated by Ed Herlihy, vividly shows the destruction that occurred during the 9.2 magnitude earthquake.

The film shows that this earthquake was 35 times stronger than the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. Can you even imagine that?

Following the quake, much-needed supplies were flown in to Anchorage's Elmendorf Air Force Base, including a complete portable hospital from Seattle.

Click the following link

to hear the introduction

The Earth Shook Violently for 5 Minutes

5:36pm, Good Friday, March 27, 1964

It was a peaceful afternoon, just like any other.

Students were enjoying a day off because of the holiday.

At 5:36 pm, as Anchorage was beginning to settle in for a quiet evening, the world turned upside down.

Suddenly, the earth started to shake.

At first, it appeared to be a quake similar to the ones that Anchorage experienced from time to time.

But it quickly became violent as it slammed, convulsed, and began ripping apart buildings, roads, and sidewalks.

The noise was deafening. It sounded like a powerful wind and a loud train as it roared by.

And there was no place to hide.

As it continued, it began to feel as though it would never end. That it would go on and on until the earth was but a memory.

Can you imagine how that must have felt?

Both Mike and Mary of Anchorage Memories are survivors of the 1964 earthquake in Anchorage Alaska, and their stories about what they experienced are horrifying and unreal.

“We were literally shaking to the core of our being. And what we saw, felt, and heard will never leave us.”

When it was finally over, the world learned that the earthquake was a magnitude 9.2 and that it had lasted an incredible 5-minutes.

The aftershocks were intense and terrifying.

One hundred and thirty-nine people lost their lives, some in the tsunamis that followed, hitting as far away as British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.

What the Survivors Remember

As you read the stories that follow, you'll meet people who were children, teens, or adults living in Anchorage when the earthquake struck on an otherwise quiet afternoon.

Through their stories, you will discover what they experienced.

An Incredible Story

The quake struck when Mary of Anchorage Memories was just a teen.

This is her story.

• She was in the JC Penney Building.
• The building collapsed around her.
• Somehow she was able to get out.

Her book captures her amazing story.

Scroll Down for Incredible Pictures

and First Hand Accounts

Club Paris and Rexall Drug Store, Across From the JC Penney Building

Photo by Helen Bucy

The picture above shows huge concrete slabs that fell off the JC Penney building, then came crashing down on the street below, crushing cars and trapping people inside.

Does Anyone Know this Small Boy?

One story tells of a little boy who was separated from his family right in front of the Rexall Drug store (pictured above) following the quake.

In the confusion, and not knowing what to do, the shop owner placed the boy in the store's picture window where he could be seen as people walk by the store. As a result, the boy's parents found him.

Downtown Book Cache

Photo by Diane Smith

The damaged downtown Book Cache, pictured above, was all that remained of a favorite destination for Anchorage shoppers.

After the quake, some areas looked more like a scene from a war movie, than the town of Anchorage.

The downtown Book Cache location opened quickly and became a place where people could meet.

And the question on everyone's lips was, “where were you when the quake struck?” Everyone had a story.

BONUS

The images captured in the following photographs provide a glimpse of the devastation in Anchorage.

The Four Seasons

This building was still under construction when the massive 1964 earthquake in Anchorage Alaska struck the town. The elevator shaft was all that remained.

After the Quake

Destruction on 4th Avenue

The eerie picture above looks more like a ghost town than Anchorage's 4th Avenue.

The image tells a fascinating tale and serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating damage caused by the 1964 earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska.

Can you imagine how the people who were in those businesses, on the sidewalk, or even driving by, must have felt when those first powerful jolts began shaking everything apart?

Many survivors still struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their experience on that day and the difficult days that followed.

The powerful aftershocks from the quake had everyone on edge.

Government Hill Elementary School

The 1964 earthquake happened on Good Friday, March 27th.

Because of the holiday, children were not in school.

Looking at the picture above, we can thank God that no children were in that building during the quake.

In the days and weeks that followed, Anchorage school officials had to come up with new places to continue schooling for many of the town's children, including elementary, junior high and high school students.

It was another reminder that we survived a powerful force of nature.

4th Avenue was transformed

For those who were living in Anchorage when the quake struck, the picture above shows a familiar sidewalk where many had stood to watch the Fur Rendezvous winter carnival, the month before the quake.

Then, in just five minutes, it was all gone.

After the earthquake, many wondered if Anchorage would ever be the same again.

Reconstruction Begins

The section of 4th Avenue shown above had sunk below street level, destroying many businesses during the quake.

But those who lived in Anchorage were determined to rebuild.

Looking at the picture above, it's difficult to believe that they were able to clean up all the devastation, and rebuild.

Today, 4th Avenue is a thriving part of Anchorage life.

For those who survived the quake, when reconstruction began, it brought a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

Smiles began to return.

Conservative estimates put the damage at $500 million dollars. Of course, that was in 1964 dollars.

Federal Disaster funds weren't enough to cover the cost.

1964 Earthquake in Anchorage Alaska

While Anchorage has its fair share of earthquakes, the one on Good Friday, 1964 was much stronger and more destructive than any other one before or since. 

And those who experienced the terror and devastation first hand, still vividly recall their experiences – and always will.

Anchorage Memories wishes to thank all the survivors who contributed their stories.

What You Just Discovered

The 1964 Earthquake was a magnitude 9.2, or 35 times more powerful than the 1902 earthquake in San Francisco.

The shaking lasted nearly 5 minutes.

At the time, estimates of damage were somewhere around $500 million dollars. In today's dollars, we're looking at $4,787,255,806 and some change.

From reading the first-hand accounts on this page, written by survivors of the earthquake, you learned what they saw, heard and felt as the shaking continued.

As you learn about this horrific event, it's easy to see how Alaskans responded. They quickly stood up proudly, helped each other and together, they rebuilt Anchorage, the town they love.

Memories of the 1964 Earthquake in Anchorage Alaska, live on.

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