A colossal landslide in an Alaskan fiord triggered a massive tsunami reaching 481 meters high, taller than the CN Tower’s viewing platform, according to a recent study. The research highlights the severe risks posed by such waves and emphasizes the need for policymakers, especially in British Columbia, to prioritize addressing these hazards.
The study, led by Dan Shugar from the University of Calgary, reveals that the tsunami near the B.C. border was a result of a glacier’s rapid retreat, underscoring the growing dangers of landslide-induced fiord tsunamis due to climate change and increased human activity in the region.
On the morning of August 10 last year, a landslide of over 64 million cubic meters plummeted into Tracy Arm Fjord, creating the second-highest wave run-up ever recorded. Despite the fiord’s regular cruise ship traffic, only one ship was present at the time and fortunately avoided the tsunami’s path.
Researchers, including Aram Fathian from the University of Calgary, stress that the event was a near miss, highlighting the potential catastrophic consequences if a cruise ship had been in the fiord. The study also points out the significant glacier retreat near the landslide site, attributing it to human-induced warming over the past two centuries.
The research team, which includes experts from multiple countries, suggests that improved monitoring and early warning systems are crucial to mitigating future tsunami risks along the Canadian coast. While the Geological Survey of Canada is already assessing fiord hazards, Shugar and Fathian urge policymakers to take a national-level approach in addressing these threats.
In conclusion, the study serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard coastal communities and marine activities from potential tsunamis.
