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Barry Arm Landslide and Tsunami Hazard

August 18, 2020

A large steep slope in the Barry Arm fjord 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Whittier, Alaska has the potential to fall into the water and generate a tsunami that could have devastating local effects on those who live, work, and recreate in and around Whittier and in northern Prince William Sound.

View the information provided by the State of Alaska, Natural Resources.

Includes a summary of the event, how to be prepared for a landslide, how to stay informed, and more.

Photo of flowing glacier
Annotated photo showing landslide areas of Barry Arm Fjord, Alaska. Subaerial landslides at the head of Barry Arm Fjord in southern Alaska could generate tsunamis (if they rapidly failed into the Fjord) and are therefore a potential threat to people, marine interests, and infrastructure throughout the Prince William Sound region. Photo credit: Gabe Wolken (Public domain.)