History of Alaska: episode 31 - Earthquake 1964. In March 27, 1964, Alaska was rocked by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America — a 9.2 magnitude monster that lasted more than four minutes. The ground split open, mountains sank, and towns like Valdez, Seward, and Kodiak were torn apart by collapsing earth and towering tsunamis. The waves raced as far as California and Japan, killing 131 people and remaking Alaska’s coastline forever. Anchorage buckled, docks vanished, and wh