Prince William Sound facts for kids
Prince William Sound is a part of the Gulf of Alaska. A "sound" is a smaller area of water that reaches inland from the ocean. Prince William Sound is located on the southern coast of Alaska. It is on the eastern side of the Kenai Peninsula. The largest port here is Valdez, which is at the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Other towns in the sound include Cordova and Whittier.
Contents
History of Prince William Sound
The famous explorer James Cook visited Prince William Sound in 1778. He first named it Sandwich Sound, after the Earl of Sandwich. Later that same year, the name was changed. It was renamed after Prince William Henry, who was the third son of King George III. Prince William was only 13 years old at the time and was serving in the Royal Navy.
Geography and Nature
Most of the land around Prince William Sound is part of the Chugach National Forest. This is the second largest U.S. National Forest in the United States. The sound is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains. These mountains are very steep. The coastline is complex, meaning it has many different features. You can find many islands and long, narrow inlets called fjords. There are also several large glaciers in the area.
Major Events in Prince William Sound
The 1964 Tsunami
In 1964, a huge tsunami hit Prince William Sound. This giant wave was caused by the powerful Good Friday earthquake. The tsunami sadly took many lives in the town of Chenega. It also completely destroyed the town of Valdez.
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
In 1989, a large oil tanker called the Exxon Valdez crashed. This accident caused a massive oil spill. The spill greatly harmed the natural environment of the sound. It killed a large number of animals. About 250,000 seabirds, nearly 3,000 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, and up to 22 killer whales were affected.
Images for kids
-
Prince William Sound was traversed by the 1908 Alexander Alaska Expedition, from the Freshwater and Marine Image Bank
See also
In Spanish: Prince William Sound para niños
