Are Alaskans Ready for Their Next Big Quake?

Here, in the earthquake capital of North America, quakes often are the center of conversations. And a recent, moderate one grabbed Alaskans’ attention--but not sufficiently, many experts and safety officials say.

Since 1964, when the last devastating quake struck, officials have taken measures to avoid new disasters. The state Division of Emergency Services has an earthquake response plan and works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The 1964 quake, which had a magnitude of 8.4, sent 80-foot seismic waves called tsunamis hurtling through the Gulf of Alaska as far south as Oregon. The quake and tsunamis killed more than 130 people and caused more than $300 million in damage.

Despite that lesson, many feel Alaska is not doing enough.

The Division of Emergency Services earthquake planning staff consists of one person--compared to 26 in California. Preparedness programs vary from city to city and school to school.

Some principals regularly schedule evacuation drills and hand out information to parents. Others do not. Legislation to make schools train students about quakes and enforce structural requirements has languished, said Erv Martin, director of the Division of Emergency Services.

Building codes are in force--but not uniformly enforced--throughout the state, officials said.

Buildings in the largest urban centers in Alaska probably are more able to withstand earthquakes than in 1964. But there are so many more buildings that the potential hazards have grown along with the state, officials said.

“Earthquakes are my greatest day-to-day fear. I can’t control them,” Martin said. “If you want to talk devastating destruction--and there is no warning--earthquake is the No. 1 priority.”

Anchorage and Fairbanks, where more than half of the state’s people live, and a number of coastal communities are particularly vulnerable.

Anchorage-area residents got a reminder of the earthquake-prone nature of the state on April 25 and April 30, when quakes of 5.5 and 6.0 hit. The latter--a deep quake centered about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage--knocked out of bed people who live above the epicenter.

If the April 30 quake had been centered in a shallower part of the tectonic plate directly under Anchorage, structural damage, injuries and some deaths would have been likely, state seismologist John Davies said.