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Island on Fire: The Epic Story of the Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami

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A Photo Of The Great Alaska Earthquake And Tsunami Of 1964 Island On Fire Alexandra Witze

Island on Fire

by Alexandra Witze

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5416 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages

On March 27, 1964, at 5:36 p.m. Alaska Standard Time, the earth beneath Prince William Sound, Alaska, began to shake violently. The magnitude 9.2 earthquake that followed was the most powerful ever recorded in North America, and it triggered a massive tsunami that devastated coastal communities throughout the Gulf of Alaska.

The earthquake lasted for four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, and it caused widespread damage and loss of life. The tsunami that followed was up to 20 feet high in some areas, and it destroyed entire towns and villages. The earthquake and tsunami killed more than 130 people, and they caused an estimated $311 million in damage.

The Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami was a major disaster, but it also had a profound impact on the region. The earthquake forced Alaskans to re-evaluate their relationship with the land, and it led to a new era of cooperation and resilience. The earthquake also helped to raise awareness of the dangers of earthquakes and tsunamis, and it led to the development of new building codes and emergency preparedness plans.

In her book Island on Fire, Alexandra Witze tells the epic story of the Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami. Witze follows the survivors of the disaster as they struggle to rebuild their lives and homes, and she explores the lasting impact of the earthquake on the region. Island on Fire is a powerful and moving account of one of the most significant natural disasters in American history.

The Earthquake

The Great Alaska Earthquake was caused by the sudden release of energy along the Fairweather Fault, a major fault line that runs along the coast of Alaska. The earthquake was so powerful that it caused the ground to move up to 30 feet in some areas, and it triggered landslides and avalanches throughout the region.

The earthquake was felt as far away as California, and it caused damage to buildings and infrastructure in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other Alaskan cities. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal communities throughout the Gulf of Alaska.

The Tsunami

The tsunami that followed the Great Alaska Earthquake was one of the most powerful ever recorded. The tsunami was up to 20 feet high in some areas, and it destroyed entire towns and villages. The tsunami caused extensive damage to coastal communities throughout the Gulf of Alaska, including Valdez, Whittier, Cordova, Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Kenai, and Kodiak.

The tsunami killed more than 130 people, and it caused an estimated $311 million in damage. The tsunami also had a significant impact on the environment, and it destroyed or damaged fish and wildlife habitats.

The Aftermath

The Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami had a profound impact on the region. The earthquake and tsunami killed more than 130 people, and they caused an estimated $311 million in damage. The earthquake and tsunami also destroyed or damaged fish and wildlife habitats, and they disrupted the local economy.

In the aftermath of the disaster, Alaskans came together to rebuild their lives and homes. The earthquake and tsunami led to a new era of cooperation and resilience in the region, and it helped to raise awareness of the dangers of earthquakes and tsunamis.

The Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami was a major disaster, but it also had a positive impact on the region. The earthquake and tsunami helped to bring Alaskans together, and it led to the development of new building codes and emergency preparedness plans. The earthquake and tsunami also raised awareness of the dangers of earthquakes and tsunamis, and it helped to make the region more resilient to future disasters.

Island on Fire

by Alexandra Witze

4.5 out of 5