MSU team to study 1946 Alaska earthquake fault linked to historic tsunami

A massive tsunami that struck Hawaii, Alaska, Washington and Oregon eight decades ago was triggered by a powerful earthquake off the coast of Alaska. The event, which generated waves up to 30 feet high, caused widespread damage and loss of life across the Pacific Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands. Recent research suggests that the tsunami’s source was a previously unrecognized underwater fault system that ruptured during the 1944 earthquake.

In response, a team from Michigan State University is launching a comprehensive study of the fault system that produced the 1944 tsunami. Using a combination of seismic imaging, bathymetric mapping and numerical modeling, the researchers aim to reconstruct the fault’s geometry, slip history and potential for future activity. By comparing the 1944 rupture with modern seismic records, the team hopes to assess whether the fault remains active and could pose a risk to coastal communities today.

The project’s findings will inform hazard assessments for the Pacific Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands, helping authorities refine evacuation plans and infrastructure resilience. If the fault is still capable of generating large earthquakes, the study will provide critical data for updating tsunami warning systems and ensuring that coastal populations are better prepared for a repeat of the 1944 disaster.