Survivors of the Powerful Anchorage Alaska Earthquake in 1964

Gripping stories from people who experienced the Anchorage Alaska Earthquake in 1964.

A survivor tells their story

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Good Friday, March 27, 1964

It was a peaceful afternoon, just like any other.

Schools were closed 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 many others that Anchorage experienced from time to time.

But this one 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 the quake continued, it began to feel as though it would never end. That this one 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 Anchorage Alaska earthquake in 1964, and their stories about what they experienced are horrifying and unreal.

“We were literally shaken 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.

Meet survivors of the Anchorage Alaska Earthquake in 1964, as they tell their stories.

Each story tells a unique experience.

I Survived the 1964 Earthquake Inside the 4th Avenue Theatre

Linda shares her memories of what it was like inside the movie theatre when the powerful quake struck Anchorage.

From Linda's Story

“The movie had barely started, when the walls of the theatre started shaking and grinding together.”

Alaskan Earthquake No Place to Hide

Mike of Anchorage Memories tells his story about his experience during the 1964 quake.

From Mike's Story:

“At 5:36pm, the ground under my feet began to rumble. Our family had lived in Alaska for many years, and we had felt many earthquakes.

But this earthquake was different.

Seconds later, the ground was moving viciously and ground fissures (cracks in the ground) were opening up all around me.

I quickly realized that this was a really horrible earthquake and I could be killed down there in the gravel pit and no one would know.”

I Remember 64

J.R. was 11 years old when the quake struck.

From J.R.'s Story

“Dishes were breaking, and the house was really shaking. My Dad yelled, “get out of the house now”, he didn't have to say it twice.

Outside, the trees were really swaying and cracking. My brother was halfway down the street with his friend. I don't know where they were going because there was no escape from this.”

Ron Moore 1964 Earthquake Memories

Popular Anchorage radio DJ, Ron Moore was on the air when the 1964 Good Friday earthquake began.

From Ron's Story

“I saw fires burning in the city, largely from gas explosions. Fears during the night of a Tidal Wave, never materialized. And the aftershocks that continued for days, kept us all on edge.“

Anchorage Alaska Earthquake in 1964

BONUS

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.

BONUS

Memories of the Powerful 1964 Earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska by Michael R Dougherty

First-hand accounts of what our reader's experienced during the largest earthquake in North America.

Read on Substack

What You Just Discovered

The Anchorage Alaska Earthquake in 1964 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.

Michele recalls the quake:

“I remember looking out their living room window and seeing the neighboring trees sway so violently that they seemed to touch the ground with each change in motion.

Those 5 long minutes of the earthquake seemed like an eternity. And the sound – so loud – like 100 freight trains going through your house.“

Eric has this memory:

“As we were making our way out through the small kitchen and out the back door, the house would sway and roll with the ground waves. It was difficult to stand up, much less walk.”

Jack remembers this:

“Someone hollered “earthquake” and everyone ran for the door. When I got out in the parking lot, the ground was really shaking and the cars that were parked there were being thrown around. All I could do was kneel, so I wouldn't fall.

I looked across the road just in time to see the Government Hill Elementary School split in half and drop into the ground. Thank God it was a holiday and the school was closed.”

Mike recalls his narrow escape:

“A huge brick smoke stack continued its violent and wild dance from left to right. And just as I wondered, “how could that smoke stack do that without falling apart?” the smoke stack crashed downward, blowing a laundry room to pieces.

Moments ago, I had considered making my way toward the laundry room for safety. Now it was a death trap.”

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

The Anchorage Memories Club

“I’ve learned a lot about my hometown of Anchorage, and you’ve jogged memories of things I haven’t thought about for years. I can only say YAY!”  Juanita.

BONUS

*Memories of the Anchorage you love, sent to you by email

*History of Anchorage, Alaska

*Meet the Pioneers who built Anchorage