1964 Alaskan Earthquake 4K

Documentary produced by the USGS showing the aftermath of one of the most devastating earthquakes in US history. Transferred in 2k from 16mm film.

[@missjody4142]

I was there! Living in Kodiak Alaska, just a 9 year old kid I thought the world was ending. I still can’t be around big bangs, like a sonic boom. Because that’s what it felt like the moment it started.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Wow, that must have been so scary! I experienced my first earthquake in 2011 in Richmond, Virginia (the epicenter was in Mineral, nearby). It was only a 5.8 but it scared the crap out of me because I didn't know what was happening. I thought a bomb went off outside.

[@dennis285]

I'm glad you survived!

[@askledhead]

I was born a few months after the earthquake. Learning and seeing video about this particular earthquake freaked me out. I literally thought the earth opened up and swallowed people, lol

[@michaeldiehl2458]

Wow

[@misslora3896]

I had the good fortune of living in Kodiak (USCG spouse @ Air Sta. Kodiak) a total of 6 yrs... 99'-02' and 06'-08'. I grew up in Southern California so, was fairly used to seismic activity, but can't imagine how scary the 64' quake must have been. I was present for the largest Alaska quake (@ that time) post 1964... It was a 7.2 magnitude in Kodiak, Dec. Of 99'... On the 6th I believe. I was @ home (CG housing on Point Retreat Way near Lake Louise) and initially thought a large truck was passing behind the house (very similar sounding rumble), but it didn't take long to realize what was happening. I stood holding the frame of my living room doorway as I watched the Christmas tree and ornaments swaying wildly back and forth (somehow not toppling). The eldest of my 2 girls was 11 and @ band practice in the school gym, which lost power plunging them into complete darkness @ the height of it. The experience left her and the other kids in the gym pretty traumatized. My 5 yr old was in kindergarten and just happened to be on the school bus heading home @ the time and didn't feel a thing. There were a cpl of good 6 range aftershocks into the evening that I had to reassure my eldest through, while the little one was fortunately napping, completely missing it again.

[@marcusmitchell7567]

Interesting take on the causes before plate tectonics was fully recognized.

[@davidlafleche1142]

This was the first earthquake that was actually identified as a "megathrust" event, and proved plate tectonics.

[@leewhite6425]

I was stationed at Elemendorf AFB at that time.I was traveling on 4th ave when the Quake began. I stopped about 50ft ft from where the the street sank. Whitey

[@raej1307]

We were stationed at Elmendorf too. You probably knew my dad. I remember the quake with clarity and saw the now iconic sunken street in person. I also saw Turnagain. What stands out the most was the silence once the quake finally stopped. It was eerie.

[@leewhite6425]

I worked at the Alaskan Château For three years. What was your dad's name

[@gingerjackson7811]

We lived on Elmendorf AFB too in 1964 And I also was in it.

[@marxkid79]

What was your job in military

[@marxkid79]

Did you know a David Myers

[@patriciahansen6032]

My dad was stationed at Elmendorf. We lived on Park Street in the Mountain View neighborhood and I went to Mt. View Elementary (which is still there, BTW). I was ten, and I heard the earthquake coming before it hit. It was so strong we couldn't even stand up for more than a few seconds. That's an experience you never forget.

[@llwpeaches]

I don't imagine that anyone could forget such a terrifying event, especially when the physics involved weren't so well understood as they are now. I'm glad you managed to survive. I'm wondering if you could tell me, or point me to a resource that discusses how they managed to repair 4th avenue since half the street sank by such a large amount. I've seen it today and you'd never know that had happened. It's really impressive the way the city bounced back from such catastrophic damage. I'm moving to Anchorage in a couple of years and I'm very curious about the history of this event, especially how they fixed the downtown area.

[@michaela8802]

My family lived through this. My grandfather owned that Army Navy store on 4th Ave where the whole street just dropped 30 feet.

[@Weedsurgery]

Thats awesome

[@axelfoley1812]

👍

[@michaeldiehl2458]

Glad they survived

[@vickimeyers2672]

My Dad and I were in downtown Anchorage when the quake struck. 58 years and my memories remain as fresh today as when it occurred. Now, whenever a quake hits, I find myself wondering: "Is this going to be another big one?"

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

I remember that store and it was probably your dad I spoke with during cleanup. Pretty unshakable guy

[@gingerjackson7811]

I was four years old in 1964 in Anchorage Alaska.Iwas there and rember bits and pieces of it.

[@eduphile9421]

Who’s here after the 2021 8.2 alaskan earthquake

[@cinepost]

Still a very dangerous earthquake zone.

[@vickimeyers2672]

Born her in 1952, and will not leave!

[@Pioneers_Of_Cinema]

Excellent quality scan and sound quality. As well as fascinating coverage of that devastation.

[@wallflower1852]

I'm here because of the 8.2 Magnitude Earthquake...

[@erniellerena]

where?

[@wallflower1852]

Alaska.

[@erniellerena]

@@wallflower1852 yeah I kind of figured that. lol thx

[@leewhite6425]

1964 magnitude 9.2

[@phillycryptotradingplus7956]

my mother was pregnant with me at the time of this earthquake...in anchorage,ak........thanks for this content.....jc penney and 4th avenue.........uh oh.....

[@Jsh465]

Such peppy music…whimsical!

[@Pioneers_Of_Cinema]

Quite at odds with the subject matter. Music you would expect backing a film about new kitchen appliances of the 1960s.

[@therealkamp]

Oh man this Music Is At Most Comical.

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

This was the most common music you would hear between the late 1920s until the early 1970s during any kind of documentary.

[@johngraves6878]

Back in 65 they don't seem to be hip to tectonic plates. It really dates this doc.

[@MuskyMustard]

My grandma said the earthquake lasted 4 minutes👀

[@auntiegliz737]

Must have seemed like 4 years.

[@raej1307]

It measured 4.5 minutes and felt like it lasted forever. I was there. Almost as bad were the aftershocks that were measuring as high as 7.9. They were unrelenting.

[@michaeldiehl2458]

That is scary

[@misslora3896]

@@raej1307 The longest earthquake I've been in was 52 seconds and not nearly as strong (upper 5, lower 6 range). I cant even begin to imagine 4 1/2 minutes of the earth swaying and heaving beneath me.

[@destinationfreedom2939]

Who made the music for this film, Disney?

[@stratrat57]

Flashback to JR High!

[@AD-sp5cv]

Im surprised the abandoned building in whittier didnt collapse!

[@tombaja4.9]

✓ If you made it this far you get a free bar of Sasquatch soap.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Does that stuff get rid of Sasquatch fleas?

[@tombaja4.9]

No, use dishsoap

[@cortneyperfume_madness480]

Why do they not talk or show this anywhere? Craziest earthquake damage ive ever seen!

[@therealkamp]

*Not a seaman filming valdeez nutz. **10:51*

[@blackcrow777]

I was 1 year old in Alaska when that happened

[@gachalifemangos180]

My grandpa was born during this

[@davidlafleche1142]

That must have been quite a labor.

[@michaelhudecek2778]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@aaronm.3581]

I slept right through it.

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

I did too in a car on the alcan

[@marxkid79]

Caused tidal waves in Japan

[@Weedsurgery]

Imgaine if they'd had a gopro the footage would be even more epic if that's possible....

[@latinguy67]

this style of doco is what I'm used to watching.