,he evening, (also reported in Pigot Bay, close to Whittier (see Figure 

 .59(3.)), apparently were not felt or noticed at Whittier. The reason is 

 lot known, and will probably remain unexplained as one of many apparently 

 ,nomalous wave patterns within Prince William Sound during and after the 

 larthquake . 



There were apparently no eyewitnesses to the waves in parts of the 

 own other than at the Alaska Railroad Depot , but high watermarks on 

 now, trees, and deposits of debris have made it possible to trace the 

 .igh water line shown in Figure 191. The main wave directions, inferred 

 'rom debris, are shown in Figure 191 (Kachadoorian, I965). 



The highest runup occurred on the north side of the Passage Canal 

 here high watermarks have been measured 10^4 feet above MSL. Highest 

 unup levels in the downtown area were 35 feet at the railroad depot 

 nd U3 feet somewhat east of the depot. 



It is difficult to give a plausible explanation for the behavior of 

 he water in Passage Canal during the earthquake. In many ways the wave 

 equence resembled that occurring at Seward. There are, however, differ- 

 nces also, which obviously must be accounted for by the different time 

 equences of the slides. There was no glassy elevation of water at 

 eward as reported at Whittier. How this hump was generated, and why a 

 ig wave apparently did not radiate from it, is intriguing. Possibly 

 he h\imp was generated by some early configuration of slides and a wave, 

 adiating from it, hit the shore when the water level was at its lowest 

 uring the reported drawdown. The drawdown was apparently caused by the 

 .asses sliding away. 



The two destructive waves at Whittier apparently originated from 



ifferent locations, and probably at different times, but the generation 



.echanism_s were probably similar to that inferred for Seward and sketched 

 chematically in Figure 139. 



5. Tsunami Damage at Whittier, Alaska 



The U. S. Geological Survey has comprehensively surveyed the 

 amage at Whittier (Kachadoorian, I965). The map of Figure 193, repro- 

 uced from their report, shows the extent and causes of the damage. The 

 .amage is also shown in Figure 19^ which should be compared to Figure I90. 



When their foundations slid away, the outer ends of the Union Oil 

 'ock and the Army Dock collapsed. The approach trestles were totally 

 .estroyed by the subsequent waves . 



The tank farms and buildings nearby were destroyed by waves and fire. 

 ine Union Oil tank containing ballast was moved at least i+0 feet south by 

 ■aves and another tank containing one million gallons of fuel was moved 

 .5 feet. Particulars of the damage and direction of movement of dis- 

 ilaced tanks in the Union Oil Company's tank farm are given in Figure 

 .95. 



297 



