Disaster Week

I haven't checked the Discovery Channel listings for the week ahead but if they have any programs about Alaska I'm sure it will be called "Disaster Week".     We all know Alaska is a big state, but this week we are celebrating two big anniversaries that many people would like to forget:  the 25th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and the 50th anniversay of the the "Great Quake."

On March 24th, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh's Reef. Nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the pristine Prince William Sound.   If you talk to representatives of Exxon Mobil Corporation they will tell you that things have rebounded and recovered.  If you talk to locals they will tell you things have not recovered citing the crash of the herring fishery, the disappearance of killer whales as well as a few species of seabirds.    No doubt, a contentious issue still today.

On March 27th, 1964 the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America happened in South Central Alaska.   It lasted for 4 weeks and topped out at 9.2 on the Richter scale.

There are quite a few videos on YouTube about this event but the one above held my interest the longest.  If you like history, you'll want to view this.

A side note.  I feel little tremors and quakes all the time in Kenai, but as a traveler to our State you shouldn't worry about another Great Quake anytime soon.  According to USGS geologist, "mega quakes" like the one that hit in 1964, will happen, on average, every 630 years.   So, you can breath easy and know that it's okay that you placed a down payment for your trip of a lifetime......