The Alaska-Aleutian Megathrust

The Alaska-Aleutian Megathrust is a seldom-visited area of the world where some of Earth’s most powerful earthquakes―known as megathrusts―occur. This volatile arc of islands in the northern Pacific Ocean was created by a subduction zone between two of Earth’s tectonic plates. The volcanic activity there has created countless earthquakes and tsunamis over the centuries. Scientists believe a tsunami that struck Japan in 1586 originated in the Alaska-Aleutian arc. Much of this area still needs to be explored and understood! Readers will be drawn in by the amazing photographs, primary sources, and maps, and are sure to come away with a new understanding of Earth’s powerful forces. Read more