Massive Landslide Triggers 500-Meter Tsunami in Alaska's Tracy Arm Fjord
Huge landslide created a 500-meter-high tsunami in a major tourist area
Ars Technica
Image: Ars Technica
On August 10, 2025, a landslide at Tracy Arm fjord in Alaska caused a tsunami that reached a height of 481 meters, marking it as the second highest tsunami recorded globally. The event, resulting from a 63.5 million cubic meter rockfall, occurred early in the morning, preventing injuries or fatalities.
- 01A landslide in Tracy Arm fjord triggered a tsunami reaching 481 meters.
- 02The tsunami was caused by a 63.5 million cubic meter rockfall into the fjord.
- 03This event is the second highest tsunami ever recorded, following the 1958 Lituya Bay tsunami.
- 04The South Sawyer Glacier's retreat due to climate change contributed to the landslide.
- 05Landslide tsunamis can be more violent and localized compared to earthquake-generated tsunamis.
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On August 10, 2025, at 5:26 AM local time, a significant landslide occurred at Tracy Arm fjord in Alaska, where a 63.5 million cubic meter rock mass fell into the water, generating a tsunami that reached a remarkable height of 481 meters. This event was recorded as the second highest tsunami in history, with the initial wave reaching 100 meters and traveling at speeds over 70 meters per second. Fortunately, the tsunami struck early in the morning, resulting in no injuries or fatalities. Researchers, including Aram Fathian from the University of Calgary, highlighted the dangers of landslide-generated tsunamis, which can be more violent than those caused by earthquakes. The structural integrity of the cliffs was compromised by the retreat of the South Sawyer Glacier, a phenomenon linked to climate change. Since 1925, there have been 27 documented landslide tsunamis with runup heights exceeding 50 meters, underscoring the potential risks of such natural disasters.
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This event highlights the risks posed by landslides and climate change, particularly in tourist areas like Tracy Arm fjord, which could face future disasters.
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