On April 1 , 1946 , the 8.6 Aleutian Islands earthquake occurred with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VI ( '' Strong '' ) . It generated a tsunami which inundated Hilo on the island of Hawaii with a surge . Between 165 and 173 were killed . The area where the earthquake occurred is where the Pacific Ocean floor is subducting ( or being pushed downwards ) under Alaska
Aleutian Islands earthquake
1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake
Tsunami