Tsunamis can strike with little warning, especially in a seismically active region like Alaska. Fortunately, the state has taken significant steps to improve readiness. Warning systems, evacuation maps, and public education are all part of Alaska’s tsunami preparedness efforts. Communities like Kodiak, Sitka, and Homer regularly conduct drills. Many coastal towns have sirens and designated evacuation routes marked clearly for both locals and visitors. NOAA and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security offer resources to help families make emergency kits and plans. If you’re in a coastal area and feel a strong or prolonged earthquake, don’t wait for an alert—move to higher ground immediately. Your safety could depend on how…

March 27, 1964, is a date forever etched in Alaska’s history. On that Good Friday evening, a massive magnitude 9.2 earthquake—the strongest ever recorded in North America—struck Prince William Sound. But the shaking wasn’t the only danger. What followed was a series of deadly tsunamis that swept through coastal communities, destroying homes, ports, and lives. In places like Valdez, Seward, and Kodiak, the destruction was total. Some waves reached over 30 feet in height. Others traveled thousands of miles, affecting the U.S. West Coast and even Japan. In total, the tsunami caused more deaths than the quake itself. This event was a wake-up call for the nation. It led to…

When people think of tsunamis, they often picture far-off places in the Pacific or Indian Oceans. But did you know Alaska is one of the most tsunami-prone regions in the world? The state’s rugged coastlines and seismic activity make it a prime zone for tsunami generation, particularly due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” Alaska has experienced some of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history, including the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake (magnitude 9.2), which triggered a devastating tsunami. That event claimed over 130 lives and caused destruction from Alaska all the way to California and Hawaii. With its combination of tectonic activity, steep underwater slopes, and…