Chenega Island facts for kids
Chenega Island is an island in Prince William Sound in Alaska, a state in the United States. It was once the home of the Aleut people, specifically the community of Chenega. However, after a huge earthquake and tsunami in 1964, most people moved to Evans Island, settling in a new place called Chenega Bay.
The island and its natural surroundings were also greatly affected by a large oil spill in 1989, known as the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Chenega Island covers about 57 square kilometers (22 square miles). After most residents left, no one lived on the island by the year 2000.
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Life on Chenega Island
Chenega Island was the traditional home for the Chenega people, who are part of the larger Aleut group. For many years, their village was a lively community on the island. People lived there, fished, and practiced their traditions.
The Great Alaska Earthquake
On March 27, 1964, a very powerful earthquake, known as the Good Friday earthquake, hit Alaska. This earthquake was one of the strongest ever recorded. It caused a massive tsunami, which is a giant ocean wave. The tsunami crashed into Chenega Island, destroying the village.
After the earthquake and tsunami, most of the people from Chenega Island had to move. They found a new home on nearby Evans Island and built a new community called Chenega Bay. This move was a big change for the people and their way of life.
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
In 1989, another major event impacted Chenega Island: the Exxon Valdez oil spill. An oil tanker, the Exxon Valdez, hit a reef and spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. This oil spread across the water and onto the shores of many islands, including Chenega Island.
The oil spill caused terrible damage to the environment. It harmed many animals, like sea otters, birds, and fish, and polluted the beaches. The people who once lived on Chenega Island, and those in nearby areas, were deeply affected by this environmental disaster.
Island Population Changes
The population of the original Chenega village on Chenega Island changed over many years. Records from the United States Census show how many people lived there at different times.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 80 | — | |
| 1900 | 140 | — | |
| 1930 | 90 | — | |
| 1940 | 95 | 5.6% | |
| 1950 | 91 | −4.2% | |
| 1960 | 61 | −33.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The village first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1880 with 80 residents. The population grew to 140 by 1900. After that, the numbers went up and down a bit, with 90 people in 1930 and 61 in 1960.
After the 1964 earthquake destroyed the village, most people moved away. Because of this, Chenega Island no longer had a separate village listed in the census. The new community of Chenega, where many of the original residents moved, is now located on Evans Island.
