The highest wave ever recorded on Earth
At 10:15 on the evening of July 9, 1958, the Fairweather Fault lurched. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake sent a mountain of rocks crashing into the head of Lituya Bay, creating a splash wave that destroyed trees up to an elevation of 524 meters (1,719 feet) on the shore immediately opposite the rockslide. A megatsunami with an estimated wave crest of 150 meters (490 feet) then swept through Lituya Bay, amplified by its narrow width and U-shaped bottom. Three fishing boats were in the bay at the time. One boat with two people on it perished. Of the two surviving boats, one was swept out to the open Pacific over La Chaussee Spit.
My map explores the geographic setting of that catastrophic event 66 years ago.
November 10, 2024
Download the map for free
Last update: Version 1.0, November 10, 2024 Change log
Map with type
RGB JPEG image
9,300 x 6,668 pixels
31 x 22.3 inches at 300 DPI
10.8 MB
1958 Lituya Bay Megatsunami
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Terms of use
This map was made with geospatial data generously provided by others that require attribution. You are welcsome to reproduce, distribute, or modify the map on condition that the sources listed below are cited.
By downloading and using this map you agree that the map author (Tom Patterson) is not legally responsible for any errors that the map may contain. You are solely responsible for all problems that may arise from reuse of the map and distribution to third parties. Tom Patterson does not necessarily endorse the individuals or organizations that may use the map, nor does he endorse their positions on issues.
This map is for general reference only. Do not use it for marine navigation, aerial navigation, or overland travel.
The printed map measures 79 x 57 centimeters (31 x 22.3 inches) at 300 DPI
Terrain only
RGB JPEG image
9,000 x 5,969 pixels
30 x 19.9 inches at 300 DPI
9.5 MB
Data sources
ArcticDEM at 2-meter resolution, Sentinel satellite image at 10-meter resolution from late July 2024, GLIMS vector glacier extents, and NASA for tsunami highwater line.
Terrain + oil paint effect
RGB JPEG image
9,000 x 5,969 pixels
30 x 19.9 inches at 300 DPI
6.6 MB