The world’s largest recorded wave, a staggering 1,720 feet tall, dwarfed even the tallest skyscrapers. To grasp the sheer scale of this natural phenomenon, let’s compare it to the height of a person. This colossal wave, generated by a landslide in Lituya Bay, Alaska, on July 9, 1958, provides a stark illustration of nature’s raw power.
The Lituya Bay Mega-Tsunami: A Force of Nature
On that fateful day, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Lituya Bay, triggering a massive rockslide. Around 40 million cubic yards of rock plummeted from a height of 3,000 feet into the narrow bay. The impact generated a wave of unimaginable proportions – a megatsunami that reached a height of 1,720 feet. This height is over 550 times the average height of a person, making a human being seem insignificant in comparison.
Eyewitness Accounts of Devastation
Three fishing boats were in the bay when the wave struck. The occupants of the “Edrie” and “Badge” miraculously survived by riding the wave over the treetops. Tragically, the two people aboard the “Sunmore” perished. Survivors described the initial event not as a wave, but as an explosion or a glacier calving, highlighting the sudden and violent nature of the event. The wave, as it traveled across the bay, stripped away soil, vegetation, and even reshaped the shoreline.
The map illustrates the narrow confines of Lituya Bay, a “T” shaped fjord, and pinpoints the origin of the devastating wave near the Gilbert Inlet. The confined shape of the bay amplified the wave’s height, contributing to its record-breaking size.
Scientific Investigation of a Record-Breaking Wave
The Lituya Bay megatsunami has been the subject of extensive scientific study. Researchers have used models and simulations to understand the mechanics of the landslide and the resulting wave. These studies have helped scientists better comprehend the potential for such events and the devastating impact they can have. A 2019 study by scientists at the Universidad de Málaga in Spain created a detailed 3D simulation, providing further insight into the dynamics of this extraordinary event.
The serene beauty of Lituya Bay belies the violence it once witnessed. This photograph, taken after the event, showcases the dramatic landscape and provides a sense of scale for the immense wave that swept through the area.
The Unfathomable Scale: 1720 Feet vs. A Person
Imagine stacking over 550 people, one on top of the other. That towering human column would still be shorter than the Lituya Bay wave. The immense energy released by the landslide and the unique geography of the bay combined to create a wave of unprecedented size, a stark reminder of the overwhelming power of nature. The comparison to a person underscores the sheer immensity of the 1,720-foot wave, making it a truly awe-inspiring and terrifying event in recorded history.
