On January 11, 1964, Alaska experienced a powerful earthquake that measured 9.2 on the Richter scale, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America. The earthquake caused widespread destruction in Alaska, particularly in Anchorage, and triggered tsunamis that affected the west coast of the U.S. and as far away as Japan. The tremors caused massive landslides and significant infrastructure damage, and more than 130 people were killed. The earthquake changed the landscape of Alaska, permanently altering the coastline.