Lake Tsunamis: A Rising Danger as Glaciers Melt and Climate Change Increases

Tsunamis are not limited to the ocean, they can also occur in lakes when a large volume of water changes position suddenly. Lake tsunamis are becoming more common in places like Alaska, USA, and British Columbia, Canada, as well as in areas with mountain glaciers. These natural disasters can be generated by various means such as earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, glacier ruptures or delta collapses.

While most lake tsunamis currently occur in remote locations and pose little threat to people or infrastructure, geologists warn that with climate change leading to increased melting of glaciers and permafrost, the risk of lake tsunamis in residential areas may become more common. For example, Portage Lake in Alaska is estimated to have a high lake tsunami risk.

Lake tsunamis can cause significant disasters. In 2020, a massive landslide in British Columbia caused a 100-meter high lake tsunami that devastated the surrounding area. Similarly, the 1938 Lake Michigan tsunami killed 5 people and injured 27 with a 3-meter high wave. The highest tsunami in history occurred in Alaska in 1958 when a 524-meter wave hit a fjord.

It is important to note that lake tsunamis although less common than ocean tsunamis have the potential to cause severe damage and loss of life. With climate change and other factors increasing the risk of these events it is crucial to be aware of their potential dangers and take necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our communities from their destructive power.