A recent study reveals that a colossal tsunami was triggered by a massive rockfall in an Alaskan fjord last year, resulting in a 481-meter wave, taller than the CN Tower’s highest viewing platform. The study emphasizes the urgent need for policymakers, especially in British Columbia, to address the risks posed by such catastrophic events.
According to Dan Shugar, an associate professor at the University of Calgary and lead author of the study, the Tracy Arm Fjord tsunami underscores the potential devastation of such waves on coastal communities and ecosystems. The study, published in the journal Science, highlights that the rapid retreat of a glacier in the path of the landslide was a key factor in the tsunami’s occurrence.
The research warns that with ongoing climate change and increased infrastructure development, the threat of landslide-induced tsunamis in fjords is escalating. The study details how a massive landslide in the Tracy Arm Fjord last year generated a record wave run-up of approximately 481 meters, posing significant risks to coastal areas frequented by cruise ships.
Fortunately, the timing of the event spared a cruise ship in the fjord from the tsunami’s impact, averting a potential maritime disaster. The study also points out the significant glacier retreat near the landslide site leading up to the event, indicating a link between climate change and the increased likelihood of such occurrences.
Shugar stresses the importance of monitoring and assessing landslide hazards in fjords to enhance early warning systems and mitigate risks to coastal communities. The study’s findings underscore the need for a comprehensive national strategy to address the growing threat of tsunamis triggered by natural events in these vulnerable regions.