Final answer:
The 1964 earthquake in Alaska was a result of plate tectonics, where the Pacific Plate subducted beneath the North American Plate, leading to significant seismic activity and mountain building. It is directly associated with the geological phenomena of earthquakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1964 earthquake event in Alaska was one of the most significant seismic occurrences in North American history due to its immense magnitude and the vast area affected. The earthquake took place as a result of interaction between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, aspects closely related to the concept of plate tectonics. The quake, in the context of geological phenomena, can be associated with earthquakes and mountain building, rather than volcanic eruptions, continental drift, or the creation of the Hawaiian island chain.
Through the theory of plate tectonics, scientists understand that earthquakes occur due to the movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates. This movement can cause stress accumulation along faults, which, when released, results in the shaking known as an earthquake. Alaska's 1964 earthquake was specifically caused by a subduction zone where the Pacific Plate was sliding beneath the North American Plate, causing a massive release of energy that shook the entire state.