Did you know that 50 years ago this month, the M9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake produced an exceptionally destructive tsunami that hit the coastlines of more than 20 countries? The event prompted the formation of the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, which was renamed on October 1, 2013, to the National Tsunami Warning Center to better reflect its current role.

The National Tsunami Warning Center issues warnings and advisories for Alaska and the lower 48 U.S. states, the Atlantic coast of Canada, and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. (Hawaii and other U.S. interests in the Pacific Ocean fall under the responsibility of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.)