Alaska has experienced 10 of the 15 largest earthquakes to occur in U.S. history. Out of these top 15, Alaska earthquakes claim the first 8 positions with Richter scale magnitudes ranked at 8.0 or higher.
1.Prince William Sound, Alaska, March 24,1964. Magnitude 9.2.
2. Andreanof Islands, Alaska, March 9, 1957. Magnitude 8.8.
3. Rat Islands, Alaska, Feb. 4, 1965. Magnitude 8.7.
4. East of Shumagin Islands, Alaska, Nov. 10, 1938. Magnitude 8.3.
5. Lituya Bay, Alaska, July 10, 1958. Magnitude 8.3.
6. Yakutat Bay, Alaska, Sept. 10, 1899. Magnitude 8.2.
7. Near Cape Yakataga, Alaska, Sept. 4, 1899. Magnitude 8.2.
8. Andreanof Islands, Alaska, May 7, 1986. Magnitude 8.0.
9. New Madrid, Mo., Feb. 7, 1812. Magnitude 7.9.
10. Fort Tejon, Calif., Jan. 9, 1857. Magnitude 7.9.
11. Ka'u District, Island of Hawaii, April 3, 1868. Magnitude 7.9.
12. Kodiak Island, Alaska, Oct. 9, 1900. Magnitude 7.9.
13. Gulf of Alaska, Alaska, Nov. 30, 1987. Magnitude 7.9.
14. Owens Valley, Calif., March 26, 1872. Magnitude 7.8.
15. Imperial Valley, Calif., Feb. 24, 1892. Magnitude 7.8.
--Information from: U.S.G.S. Professional Paper 1527,
"Seismicity of the United States,"
by Carl W. Stover and Jerry L. Coffman
The 1989-90 volcanic eruption of Mount Redoubt on the west side of Cook Inlet was the second most costly eruption in the history of the United States. An estimated $160 million in lost revenue and damages resulted from ash fallout and debris flows. Washington state's Mount Saint Helens was the most costly volcanic eruption in U.S. history, causing over $440 million in damages.
(Information from: U.S.G.S. Alaska Volcano Observatory)
Top ten causes of fire on the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak from 1984 to 1998.
Debris burns started over 300 wildfires.
Camp fires started over 220 wildfires.
Children started 125 wildfires.
Smoking started 50 wildfires.
Fireworks started approximately 48 wildfires.
Power lines started approximately 45 wildfires.
Equipment started approximately 30 wildfires.
n Incendiary devices started approximately 15 wildfires.
(Information from: The Alaska Division of Forestry)
Even after dousing campfires with water, many would-be responsible hunters and campers cause forest fires .
Roots and organic matter beneath the bed of a fire may be smoldering even though no smoke is visible. Sometimes fuels may be burning up to a foot beneath the surface of a fire pit.
To make sure subsurface fires are out:
Dig up all material with a shovel down to permafrost or mineral soil.
Break up every particle of organic material with your fingers while applying generous amounts of water.
The fire pit should be felt several times with your hands to determine if all burning moss and roots are completely out.
(Information from: the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, "Hunting, Camping, and Fire in Alaska")
