Icy Bay (Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Icy Bay |
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Glaciers at Icy Bay
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 Icy Bay
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Yakutat, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 59°59′24″N 141°23′25″W / 59.99000°N 141.39028°W |
| Type | Fjord |
| Native name | Lig̲aasi Áa (Tlingit) |
| Ocean/sea sources | Pacific Ocean |
Icy Bay (Tlingit: Lig̲aasi Áa) is a body of water in Southeast Alaska, formed in the last 100 years by the rapid retreat of the Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall Glaciers. It is part of the Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the bay entrance was permanently blocked by a giant tidewater glacier face that calved icebergs directly into the Gulf of Alaska. A century-long glacial retreat has opened a multi-armed bay more than 30 miles (48 km) long.
Icy Bay is a popular destination for sea kayakers, and is reachable by bush plane from Yakutat, Alaska.
Images for kids
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On 9 August 2016, United States Geological Survey scientists survey run-up damage from the 17 October 2015 megatsunami in Taan Fiord. Based on visible damage to trees that remained standing, they estimated run-up heights in this area of 5 meters (16.4 ft).
