Lituya Bay- Wave Damage Extent

USA / Alaska / Elfin Cove /
 bay, tsunami
Lituya Bay is part of Glacier National Park. In 1958, ice falling into the east end of the bay caused the largest tsunami in recorded history, which sent water over 1,700 feet up the steep slopes that surround the bay. Several fishing boats were destroyed and a number of people were killed, but two boats at the mouth of the bay rode the wave out to sea and survived.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lituya_Bay
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   58°38'28"N   137°34'9"W

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  • From Wikipedia- "An earthquake caused a landslide in Crillon Inlet at the head of the bay on July 10, 1958, generating a monstrous megatsunami 524 m (1,720 ft) high, which stripped trees and soil from the opposite headland and consumed the entire bay, destroying three fishing boats anchored there and killing four people. By the time the wave reached the open sea, however, it dissipated quickly. This incident was the first direct evidence and eyewitness report of the existence of megatsunamis."
  • Per "Book of World Records 2008" A 1,720 ft high tsunami wave crashed down in Lituya Bay on July 9, 1958. It was triggered by a massive landslide that was caused by a 8.3 magnitude earthquake. The water from the bay covered 5 sq miles of land and traveled inland as far as 3,600 feet. Millions of trees were washed away and amazingly, because the area was very isolated and the coastline was sheltered by coves on 2 people died when their fishing boat sank. This tsunami ranked as The world's highest tsunami wave since 1900. (pg 160) The second highest ranked wave was in Chile in 1960 it was 75ft.
  • I fished with a gentleman who was eight years old at the time, and fishing with his father between Lituya Bay and Yakutat. The two things that impressed him most, was the absolute confusion as to what had happened in the early aftermath. Nobody believed such a thing was possible. And then the trees. Thousands of trees floating offshore, with the roots sinking and holding them upright like a "deadhead." Two boats were anchored side by side, around the corner, right of the entrance. When they saw what was coming one tried to raise his anchor, and the other started playing out anchor line. The first guys anchor never cleared the bottom, and it held him down as the wave washed over him. The other, who played out the anchor tackle rode up and over the wave.
  • The smaller Cascade Glacier and Crillon Glacier glaciers and the larger Lituya Glacier all spill into Lituya Bay, which is a part of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Cenotaph Island is located roughly in the middle of the bay. The entrance of the bay is approximately 500 m (0.31 mi) wide, with a narrow navigable channel.[2]The bay is known for its high tides, which have a range of approximately 3 m (9.8 ft). Tidal currents in the entrance reach 9.4 km/h (5.1 kn). The entrance is considered dangerous to navigation, especially when the tidal currents are running, but the interior of the bay provides good protection to anchored ships.[2]Lituya Bay is also famous for hosting four recorded tsunamis over 100 feet: in 1854 (395 feet high), 1899 (200 feet), 1936 (490 feet), and 1958 (1740 feet)
This article was last modified 13 years ago