1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake

The earthquake occurred near the Aleutian Islands of Alaska on 1 April 1946 and generated a tsunami with run-up reaching 42 metres at Unimak Island. The waves obliterated the Scotch Cap Lighthouse on Unimak and killed all five lighthouse keepers. Despite the destruction on Unimak, the tsunami had an almost imperceptible effect on the Alaskan mainland.

Origin time (UTC)

1946-04-01T12:29

Magnitude

8.6

Magnitude type

mw

Depth (km)

15

Deaths, as sources state them

five lighthouse keepers at Scotch Cap

USGS event page

earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/official19460401122901_30

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: tsunami, alaska, aleutians, lighthouse

Coordinates: 53.492, -162.832

Part of Earthquakes of magnitude 8.5 and above since 1900

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