the alaska earthquake, march 27, 1964

122 Pages·2007·53.6 MB·English

THE ALASKA EARTHQUAKE,
MARCH 27, 1964:
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS AND
RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT
.lerial vie\>-,l ooking east, of part of !Jhrnagain Heights slide, Anchorage, shortly after earthquake.
The Alaska Earthquake
March 27,1964:
Field Investigations and
Reconstruction Effort
By WALLACE R. HANSEN, EDWIN B. ECKEL, WILLIAM E. SCHAEM,
ROBERT E. LYLE, WARREN GEORGE, AND GENIE CHANCE
An introduction to the story of a great earth-
quake-its geologic setting and effects, the
field investigations, and the public and
private reconstruction efforts
GEOLOGICAL S U R V E Y P R O F E S S I O N A L P A P E R 5 4 1
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
William T. Pecora, Director
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1966
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
FOREWORD
In the lab afternoon of Friday, March 27, 1964, one of
the most violent earthquakes of tall time mked southern
Alaska. Suddenly 114 people were killed, thousands were
left homeless, more than 50,000 square miles of the State
was tilted to new altitudes, and the resulting property dam-
age disrupted the State's economy.
The response to alleviate the effects of the disaster was
immediate. The military forces in Alaska rushed to the
aid of the civilian community, providing emergency com-
munications, food, water, and housing. Within 24 hours
bhe U.S. Geological Survey had a team of three geologists
in Alaska to begin a reconnaissance survey, and they were
but the vanguard of many who arrived to conduct scientific
and engineering investigations and to advise on the recon-
struction effort. The day after the earthquake the President
declared Alaska to be a major disaster area and a wide
range of relief hnd reconstruction work began, much 'of it
sponsored by the Office of Emergency Planning. The Corps
of Engineers was given responsibility for large parts of
the reconstruction effort. Within a week the President by
Executive Order established the Federal Reconstruction
and Development Planning Commission for Alaska to
coordin'ate the efforts of many Federal agencies; task forces
and field teams moved into action.
At the time of the disaster it was difficult to envision
any good proceeding from it, but the unprecedented cooper-
ative efforts of many agencies and institutions, federal,
state, land private, and many individuals have en'abled the
State to recover in large measure and even to move for-
ward. This volume contains the story of the earthquake
and the succeeding field investigations and reconstruction
efforts in which the Geological Survey is proud to have
taken part.
W. T. PECORA:
Director.
Photograph credits :
U.S. Army: frontispiece, figures 16, 25, 27, 33, 34, 41, 43, 45-59.
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs: figures 60-66.
George Plafker: figures 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 31, 32, 56, 37.
J. E. Salter, courtesy of Arctic Institute of North America: figure 6.
M. G. Bonilla : figures 7,22,24,30.
H. W. Coulter : figure 12.
Arthur Grantz : figures 19, 20.
Reuben Kachadoorian: figures 26, 29.
W. R. Haasen : figures 21, 28.
U.S. Navy: figure 35.
C. D. Weingaard: figure 38.
Genie Chance : figures 65-67.
CONTENTS
Page Page
FOREWORbDy, W. T. Pecora. A SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE THE WORK OF THE SCIENTIFIC
A SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF ALASKA EARTHQUAKE-Con. AND ENGINEERING TASK
THE ALASKA EARTHQUAKE-ITS Damage outside Alaska- _ _ _ 36 FORCE-CO~~~~U~~
SETTING AND EFFECTS, by INVESTIGATBIYO NTHSE GEO- Scientific and Engineering
Wallace R. Hansen and Edwin LOGICAL SURVEY, by Wallace Task Force and its Field
B. Eckel---_-_------------- R.Hansen_____-____--_----3-8 Team-Continued
Introduction- _ - - - - - - - - - - - - THE WORK OF THE SCIENTIFIC Evaluation of Task
Time and magnitude- ----_- AND ENGINEERING TASK Force effort -__------ 68
Epicenter- - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - FORCE-EARTH SCIENCE AP- ACTIVITIEOSF THE CORPS OF ENOI-
Duration and exten_t ------- PLIED TO POLICY DEClSIONS IN NEERS--CLEANUP AND EARLY
Aftershocks- - - _ _ - - - - - - - - - EARLY RELIEF AND RECON- RECONSTRUCTION, by Robert
Previous Alaskan earth- STRUCTION, by Edwin B. Eckel E. Lyle andwarren George-- - 70
quakes----_----_------- and William E. Schaem --_-__ 46 Introduction- -- _ - - - - _ _ _ - _ - 70
Physiographic and geologic Introduction-- - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ 46 Damage surveys- - - - __ - - -- 72
setting of the earthquake- Immediate response of the Cleanup and restoration_--- 73
Alaska-Aleutian Prov- Federal Government-- _ _ - 46 Anchorage- - _ - _ - - - _ - _ - 73
ince - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - Federal Reconstruction and Seward- - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - 73
Aleutian Range- - - Development Planning Valdez - - - - _ - - _ _ _ - _ - - - 79
Alaska Range- - - - _ Commission for Alaska- - _ 47 Cordova - - - - - - - - - _ - - - 80
Coastal Trough Prov- Makeup and functions- 47 Homer- - - - _ - - _ - _ - _ -.- 80
incCeo - o- k- -I -n -l ee -b -S -u _ s-i -t n- a- Dumtieens tsa-n -d - -a -c -c -o -m - -p -l i-s _h _- 48 SWehldiottvieiar-- - - - _ _ -- -- -- _- -- _- -- -- -- -- 8800
Lowland- - - - - _ _ Estimates of dam- Other communities- - - - 80
Talkeetna Moun- age-----------_ 48 RECONSTRUCTIBOYN T HE CORPS
tains- - - - - - - _ _ - - Special legislation - 49 OF ENGINEERS-METHODS AND
Copper River Low- Reconstruction ACCOMPLISHMENTS, by Warren
land- - - - - - - _ _ - - plans and sched- George and Robert E. Lyle--- 8 1
Wrangell Moun- uling- - - - - - - - - - 49 Introduction-- - - - - _ - _ - _ - - - 81
tains-- - - - - - - - - - Long-range eco- Anchorage. -.- - - _ - - _ _ _ _ - _ - 83
Pacific Border Ranges nomic planning- 50 Seward.--------_--_------ 85
province- - - - - - - - - - - Federal financial assisb Valdez - - - - - - - - _ - - - _ - - - - - - 85
Kodiak -M ountains- ance- - - - - _ - - - - - - - - _ 50 Cordova- - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - 88
Kenai Chugach Termination of the Seldovb. _ - - _ - - - - - - - _ - - - - - 88
Mountains- - - - - Commission- - - - - - - - 5 1 Homer. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 88
Gulf of Alaska Scientific and Engineenhg Other communities- - -- _ _-- 89
coastal section- - Task Force and its Field THEY EAR OF DECISION AND AC-
St. Elias Mountains Team- - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - 5 1 TION, by Genie Chance- --- ..-- 90
and Fairweather History and objectives- 5 1 Introduction- _ - - - - - - - - _ - - - 90
Range- - - - - - - - - Activities and methods- 53 Seward--.--_------------- 90
Tectonic effects- -- -------- Boundaries of activi- Homer_--_-_-_____-___--9- 1
Effects on communities- - - - ties- - - - - - - - _ _ - - - _ - 54 Kodiak - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 92
Dafmacailgitei est-o - --t -ra -n - s-p _ o- r-t -a -t i-o -n - TamskeA nndcaFhtoioorrncaesg- e -- _- r_- e _- c -_ o _- m __ -_- 5577 NCoartdivoev av -i l-l a- g-e -s -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- -- 9974
THAhiigreph oAwrlatasys-sk-- a- - -R -- -_a --il _-r o-- a-- d_- ._- _-- --- HSKeoowmdaiearrdk--a - -n -- d -- _-V --a --l _-d __e -_z -_- 666134 VGWiahrdlidtwteioezor--d ---- --- --- --- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- --- --- -- 1990890
Ports and harbors- _ _ - - Reactions of Federal Anchorage..----------..--- 100
Atmospheric effects- -___ _ -- agencies and local The Federal Government
Possible magnetic effects- - - officials- - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ 65 aids the people of Alaska- 103
Biologic effects- - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Public relations- - - ____ 65 SELECTEDR EFERENCE-S-- ..- - - - 106
ILLUSTRATIONS
FIGURES
Page Page
Frontispiece. Aerial view of part 17. Scarp at the subsidence 36. Uplifted sea floor at
of Turnagain Heights slide, An- trough of the Fourth Cape Cle_ ar, Montague
chorage, shortly after earth- Avenue slide, Anchor- Island- - _ _ _ _ _ - - - - - - 34
quake. age- _ - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ - - 37. Tectonically elevated
1. Physiographic setting of 18. Damage to 1200 L Street shoreline of Latouche
south-central Alaska- apartment building in Island- _ _ _ _ _ _ - - - - - - - 35
2. Earthquake belts of the Anchorage- _ - - - - - - - - 38. U.S. Geological Survey
3. Epwiocreldn-t e- r- s_ -o _ f_ - m.. - a_ j_ o_ _r 19. Aliacsek aB uSialdleins ga, nAd nScherovr-- rMesiellaerrc -h _ _v _e _s _s e_ l_ D_ -o -n - -J -. 41
4. MAajloars kpahny seioargtrhaqpuhaick edsi-- age _ - - - - - - - _ - _ - - - - - 39. Mnaapl -orf ishki ghp- oarntido nnso moif-
20. Store building in An-
visions of Alaska- -- - - Anchorage and vicin-
chorage--_---_------
5. Rock avalanche on Sur- ity-----------------
prise Glacier- _ _ _ _--- 21. Toe of Turnagain 40. Map showing classifi-
6. Debris flow on Upper Heights landslide ex- cation of earthquake
Miles Glacier- --- -_-- posed at low tide- - - - risk areas, Anchorage-
7. Clastic dikes intruded 22. Wooden fence at toe of 41. Aerial view of damage in
into near-surface sed- L Street slide, An- Anchorage - - _ - _ - - - - -
iments and overlying chorage_--____-_____ 42. Map showing land clas-
snow and ice- _ - 23. Rail and highway net of sification, Homer and
8. The Hanning Bay fault south-central Alaska- vicinity- _ - _ - - - - - - - - -
scarp, Montague Is- 43. Inundation of Homer
land------.-------..- 24. RaTilurornaadg aninea Ar rmhe-a-d- _ _o f- Spit _ _ - - - - _ _ - - - - - - - -
9. Shaded relief map of 44. Map showing high- and
25. Railroad yard and ware-
south-central Alaska nominal-risk areas of
showing epicenter, house damage at part of Seward- - - -- -
major aftershocks, Seward.. - - - - - - _ - - - - - 45. Collapse of Fourth Ave-
and areas of tectonic 26. Potter Hill slide, An- nue----------------
land-level e - - - chorage..---..__-_--_ 46. Aerial view of Fourth
10. Drowned spruce tr~eosn 27. Fissure in Seward High- Avenue slide after
gravel spit in h r - way near Alaska Rail- cleanup- - - - - - - - - - - - -
rection Bay -_------- 47. Turnagain Heights land-
road station at Port-
11. UpCliaftpede Cselea arf,l wMr ona-t age - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - sclliedaen ubpe-fo - r-e - -a -n -d - - a- f-t -e -r
tague Island, in area 28. Richardson Highway 48,49. Aerial views of Val-
near mile 69- -------. dez before and after
uplift- - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ - 29. Million Dollar Bridge- - earthquake- - - - - - - -
50. Partial cleanup of pe-
12. Transverse fissure in 30. Twentymile River
troleum tank farm
Bridge near Turn-
Valdez at corner of again Arm-_- -_----- area--. - - - - - - - - - - - - -
McKinley St. and 51. Alaska Railroad dock,
31. Effects of violent surge
Keystone Ave- ------ Seward, after cleanup-
waves at Whittier----
13. Breakdown of earth- 52. Main street of Sel-
quake damages in 32. Damaged runway at dovia-with sandbags
Alaska- - - - - - - - - - - - - Cordova Airport-- - -. to keep it from float-
14. Remains cd native el- 33. Fire, wave, and sub- ing-_----_-__-------
lage of Chmega- - - - _ marine slide damage 53. Petroleum tank farm at
Whittier after wave
15. Damage to railroad at Whittier ----_----
and fire damage-----
yards wd petroleum 34. Fire and wave damage 54. Government Hill slide- -
tank farm at Seward- to Seward port facili- 55. New dock and harbor at
16. Hinchinbrook Coast Valdez - _ _ _ _ - - - - - - - -
G W d oek raised 35. Vessels washed into 56. New school at Valdez - -
above all but the heart of Kodiak by 57. New site of Valdez and
highest tides- - - - - - _ _ tsunamis- - - - - - - - - - - dock facilities - - - - - - -
VIII
Page Page,
58. New boat basin on 61. Remains of a native 65. House rehabilitated in
Homer Spit ---_----- 88 village- -._------95- --- place, Anchorage _ - - 100
62. Old Harbor, an Aleut 66. House moved to a safe
59. New boat basin at
village_ _______------9 6 haven, Anchorage--_- 101
Kodiak _------------ 93 63. Old Harbor, a year after 67. House at the toe of the
60. Chenega, a native fishing the quake ___-------- 96 L Street slide, Anchor-
village- --_---------- 95 64. New homes at Tatitlek- 97 age - - 102
TABLES
Page
1. Summary of earthquake damages to Alaskan communities .................... 19
2. Summary of estimated damages, August 12, 1964 ........................... 49
3. Estimated Federal assistance to Alaska after March 27, 1964, earthquake- - - - - - 50