Tsunamis are not only a threat in the ocean, but they can also occur in lakes when a large volume of water changes position suddenly. Lake tsunamis are becoming more frequent in areas like Alaska, USA, British Columbia, Canada and regions with mountain glaciers. These natural disasters can be triggered by various causes 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 damage and loss of life. 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 fjord was hit by a 524-meter wave that caused extensive damage and loss of life.
Despite being less common than ocean tsunamis, lake 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 for individuals to be aware of their dangers and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their communities from potential harm.
