Today in Earthquake History

M7.7 - Southeastern Alaska, 1958

 

A massive rockslide at the head of Lituya Bay caused water to surge about 530 meters, generating a "gravity wave" that swept out of the bay. A fishing boat anchored in Anchorage Cove was carried in front of the largest wave crest, and those onboard estimated they cleared La Chaussee Spit (at the mouth of Lituya Bay) by 30 meters or more. Two people on another fishing boat disappeared after being caught in the huge wave. The water, estimated to have traveled about 100 miles per hour, swept away a lighthouse and a log cabin - the only manmade objects in the area. 

 

M7.5 - Tajikistan, 1949

 

Approximately 12,000 people killed.
Nearly all buildings destroyed by the earthquake and landslides in a zone 60-65 km (37-41 mi) long and 6-8 km (4-5 mi) wide. A huge slide, about 20 km (12 mi) long and 1 km (0.5 mi) wide buried the town of Khait to a depth of about 30 m (100 ft), moving over it at a velocity of about 100 m/sec (225 mi/hr). This and other slides in the Yasman River Valley also buried 20 villages. The death toll is estimated.