Alaska 2025 tsunami was second-highest ever, taller than Empire State Building
A massive tsunami in Alaska's Tracy Arm Fjord on August 10, 2025, reached 481 meters (1,578 feet) — the second-highest ever recorded, surpassing the Empire State Building's height. The wave was triggered by a landslide caused by glacier retreat due to climate change. Occurring at 5:30 am, no cruise ships or boats were present, and no injuries occurred. The study, led by University of Calgary geomorphologist Dan Shugar, was published in Science on Wednesday. The fjord, a popular sightseeing destination within Tongass National Forest, saw vegetation stripped from rock walls. Shugar noted the early timing was "unbelievably lucky" but warned of future events.
Key facts
- Tsunami on August 10, 2025 in Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska
- Wave height: 481 meters (1,578 feet) — second-highest ever
- Higher than Empire State Building
- Triggered by landslide due to glacier retreat from climate change
- No injuries as it occurred at 5:30 am with no boats present
- Study led by Dan Shugar, University of Calgary, published in Science
- Fjord is in Tongass National Forest, a popular sightseeing destination
- Vegetation stripped from steep rock walls
Entities
Institutions
- University of Calgary
- Science
Locations
- Alaska
- Tracy Arm Fjord
- Tongass National Forest
- New York City
- Empire State Building