Alaska Landslide Triggered Second-Largest Tsunami Ever Recorded, Study Finds
A new study published in Science reveals that a massive landslide in Alaska’s Tracy Arm fjord on August 10, 2025, generated the second-largest tsunami wave ever recorded. The colossal slide, driven by rapid glacier retreat that removed support from the valley wall, hurled 64 million cubic meters of debris into the water. This displacement created a megatsunami reaching 1,578 feet in height, narrowly trailing the 1958 Lituya Bay event. Computer simulations indicate the wave traveled at speeds exceeding 150 mph through the narrow fjord, amplifying its vertical runup against steep mountain walls. Although the area is a popular tourist destination for cruise ships and boats, the early morning timing of the landslide prevented casualties. Researchers highlight the increasing frequency of microseismic activity prior to the collapse as a potential warning sign, though none were obvious to the public. The event underscores the significant hazards posed by landslide-induced tsunamis in glacial fjords, particularly given the heavy maritime traffic in the region during summer months.
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Alaska Landslide Triggered Second-Largest Tsunami Ever Recorded, Study Finds
A new study published in Science reveals that a massive landslide in Alaska’s Tracy Arm fjord on August 10, 2025, generated the second-largest tsunami wave ever recorded. The colossal slide, driven by rapid glacier retreat that removed support from the valley wall, hurled 64 million cubic meters of debris into the water. This displacement created a megatsunami reaching 1,578 feet in height, narrowly trailing the 1958 Lituya Bay event. Computer simulations indicate the wave traveled at speeds exceeding 150 mph through the narrow fjord, amplifying its vertical runup against steep mountain walls. Although the area is a popular tourist destination for cruise ships and boats, the early morning timing of the landslide prevented casualties. Researchers highlight the increasing frequency of microseismic activity prior to the collapse as a potential warning sign, though none were obvious to the public. The event underscores the significant hazards posed by landslide-induced tsunamis in glacial fjords, particularly given the heavy maritime traffic in the region during summer months.