Alaska’s largest earthquakes

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: (907) 474-5823
02/11/04

Alaska is the earthquake state. Three of the 10 largest recorded earthquakes in world history have happened in Alaska. The state averages nearly one earthquake with a magnitude of 7 or greater each year, including the 7.9 Denali fault earthquake, the largest on Earth in 2002.

Geophysical Institute Associate Director Doug Christensen will present a free lecture on Alaska’s largest earthquakes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Chena River Convention Center in Fairbanks.

During his hour-long lecture, Christensen will explain how Alaska’s vast size means that earthquakes that would be catastrophic in urban centers like Seattle or San Francisco often do little damage here. He also will discuss the driving forces behind Alaska’s largest earthquakes, what past earthquakes have taught seismologists, and what Alaskans can expect in the future.

Christensen’s lecture is the fifth of six weekly presentations included in the 2004 Science for Alaska free public lecture series, sponsored by the UAF Geophysical Institute and the University of Alaska Foundation. All lectures are held at 7 p.m. through Feb. 24 in the Chena River Convention Center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Additional biographical information about Doug Christensen and a comprehensive schedule of the statewide lectures can be found on the Science for Alaska free public lecture series Website: www.scienceforalaska.com.

CONTACT:
Doug Christensen, Associate Director and Professor of Geophysics, UAF Geophysical Institute: (907) 474-7426 Amy Hartley, Public Information Officer, UAF Geophysical Institute: (907) 474-5823