• LIFE

The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964: Rare Photos From an Epic Disaster

2 minute read

When the Great Alaska Earthquake convulsed the south-central region of that vast state on March 27, 1964, the energy released by the upheaval — the largest quake in recorded North American history — was, LIFE magazine reported, “400 times the total [energy] of all nuclear bombs ever exploded” until that time. The megathrust event unleashed a colossal 200,000 megatons of energy, destroying buildings and infrastructure in Anchorage and far beyond; raising the land as much as 30 feet in some places; and sparking a major underwater landslide in Prince William Sound, which killed scores of people when the resulting waves slammed into Port Valdez.

When all was said and done, the 9.2-magnitude quake — which struck around 5:30 in the evening on Good Friday — and its many powerful aftershocks caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage; killed more than 130 people (including more than a dozen tsunami-related deaths in Oregon and California) and; in ways literal and figurative, forever altered the Alaskan landscape in places like Anchorage, Seward and Valdez.

Here, on the 50th anniversary of the epic natural disaster, LIFE.com presents photos — many of them never published in LIFE — from the cataclysm’s aftermath.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizabethRonk.

Anchorage, Alaska, in the aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.
Anchorage, Alaska, in the aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The earthquake split the Turnagain section of Anchorage with a criss-cross of deep fissures in the ground, heaving the smashed homes up at crazy angles.
Caption from LIFE. The earthquake split the Turnagain section of Anchorage with a criss-cross of deep fissures in the ground, heaving the smashed homes up at crazy angles.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
Aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
Aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
Aftermath of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Alaskans pray after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.
Alaskans pray after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Ben Henry, 10, sits on bowling-game table in Anchorage American Legion Hall as his sister Genevieve sleeps by pins. Everything in their house was destroyed.
Caption from LIFE. Ben Henry, 10, sits on bowling-game table in Anchorage American Legion Hall as his sister Genevieve sleeps by pins. Everything in their house was destroyed.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
People receiving medical treatment after the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
People receiving medical treatment after the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
v
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Unloading relief supplies after the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
Unloading relief supplies after the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.
After the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
In downtown Anchorage, the buildings and the pavement dropped 20 feet, dividing Fourth Avenue into two levels and leaving a weird jumble of signs.
Caption from LIFE. In downtown Anchorage, the buildings and the pavement dropped 20 feet, dividing Fourth Avenue into two levels and leaving a weird jumble of signs.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
LIFE Magazine—April 10, 1964
LIFE Magazine—April 10, 1964LIFE Magazine

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com