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### Effects of the earthquake of March 27, 1964, at Valdez, 
Alaska: Chapter C in The Alaska earthquake, March 27, 1964: effects on 
communities

#### Professional Paper 542-C

###### This report is Chapter C in The Alaska earthquake, March 27, 1964: 
effects on communities.  For more information, see: Professional Paper 542.

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#### Links

- More information: **USGS 
  Index Page**                                (html)
- Document: **Document**                                
  (pdf)
- Plates:
- **Plate 1**                                
    (pdf)
- **Plate 2**                                
    (pdf)
- **Plate 3**                                
    (pdf)
- Download citation as:  RIS

#### Abstract

Valdez is situated on the seaward edge of a large outwash delta composed of a 
thick section of saturated silty sand and gravel. The earthquake of March 27, 
1964, triggered a massive submarine slide, involving approximately 98 million 
cubic yards of material that destroyed the harbor facilities and nearshore 
installations. Waves generated by the slide and subsequent strong seiches did 
additional damage in the downtown area. Stresses generated by the seismic shocks 
and the slide developed an extensive system of fissures throughout the 
unconsolidated deposits at the head of the fiord. These fissures plus the shocks 
caused structural damage to many of the buildings in Valdez and destroyed the 
sewer and water systems. Removal of support from the face of the delta by 
submarine sliding allowed some of the material to move seaward and caused parts 
of the shore area to subside below high-tide level.

A site for relocating the town of Valdez has been designated. It is situated 
on the Mineral Creek fan--an area underlain by coarse alluvial gravel. This 
relocation site is protected from sea waves by a series of bedrock ridges and 
islands that also provide a resistant buttress retaining and protecting the toe 
of the fan from danger of sliding or slumping. The absence of evidence of ground 
breakage on the Mineral Creek fan indicates that the coarse subsoils at the 
relocation site react favorably under seismic conditions.

#### Study Area



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