On January 3, 1959, a deadly earthquake struck southern Alaska, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused severe damage to Anchorage and other parts of Alaska, triggering massive tsunamis that affected the west coast. The event led to significant casualties, including 115 deaths in Alaska, and widespread destruction. The disaster led to major changes in disaster preparedness and infrastructure development. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America.