A massive 8.6 magnitude earthquake occurs in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska on April 1, 1946. Huge tsunami waves reached more than 100 feet above sea level, near the source of the earthquake, at Unimak Island and completely destroyed the brand new, U.S. Coast Guard's Scotch Cap lighthouse built with steel-reinforced concrete, killing all 5 crew members.
The tsunami arrived 4.9 hours later in Hilo, causing $26 million (1946 dollars) in damages and killing 96 people. More
