In a startling revelation, scientists have confirmed that a colossal megatsunami generated by a massive landslide in Alaska ranks as the second highest wave ever documented. Occurring last summer, the event serves as a stark reminder of the perils associated with melting glaciers and their potential to unleash devastating geological phenomena.
A Catastrophic Landslide
In August 2025, a significant volume of rock—approximately 64 million cubic metres, equivalent to 24 Great Pyramids—plummeted into a remote fjord in southeast Alaska. This cataclysmic landslide created a towering wave nearly 500 metres high, sweeping through the tranquil waters of Tracy Arm Fjord with ferocious intensity. The lack of tourist activity during the early hours of the morning narrowly spared cruise ships from becoming part of the disaster, according to researchers.
Dr. Bretwood Higman, a geologist with firsthand experience of the aftermath, expressed his concerns about the close call. “We know that there were people that were very nearly in the wrong place. I’m quite terrified that we’re not going to be so lucky in the future,” he remarked. The sheer force of this event underscores the increasing risks faced by this stunning yet perilous landscape.
Understanding Megatsunamis
Megatsunamis are generated when landslides—often triggered by earthquakes or the destabilisation of loose rock—plunge into bodies of water. Unlike traditional