Photo shows extent of subsidence at Government Hill School in Anchorage. Soils failed and moved down slope. The soil failure left a part of the school on unmoved ground and dropped the remainder into a wide trough or graben. In addition to the Government Hill School which was destroyed, the Denali School incurred considerable structural damage. The entire second floor of West High School classroom wing was a total loss. Chugiak and Eagle River elementary schools incurred some damage. Despite widespread destruction, ten of Anchorage's 20 schools reopened on April 6, ten days after the earthquake. Government Hill Elementary School split in two and was virtually destroyed when the ground beneath it slumped down. Fortunately, the earthquake occurred on Good Friday, a school holiday.

Image Credit: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center