description Yakutat Bay Overview
Yakutat Bay is a large inlet located on the southeastern coast of the U.S. state of Alaska, opening into the Gulf of Alaska. It is a prominent glacial fjord system that serves as the ocean terminus for several major glaciers, most notably the Hubbard Glacier. Hubbard is North America's largest active tidewater glacier, and its periodic advances into the bay frequently result in dramatic calving events where massive blocks of ice break off into the sea.
The bay is also recognized for its high concentration of marine wildlife.
insights Ranking position
Yakutat Bay ranks #11 of 203 in the Bay ranking, behind Georgian Bay, ahead of Bay of Bengal.
help Yakutat Bay FAQ
Where is Yakutat Bay located?
Yakutat Bay is a large inlet situated on the southeastern coast of the U.S. state of Alaska. It opens directly into the Gulf of Alaska and is located within the Tongass National Forest.
Which major glacier terminates in Yakutat Bay?
The bay serves as the ocean terminus for the Hubbard Glacier, which is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Visitors to the bay can witness massive chunks of ice calving directly into the saltwater from its towering face.
Is Yakutat Bay prone to tsunamis?
The region is highly geologically active, and in 1899, a massive earthquake caused parts of the bay's shoreline to suddenly shift up by nearly 50 feet. Landslides and glacial calving in the bay have also historically generated localized, devastating megatsunamis.
How was Yakutat Bay formed?
Like much of Alaska's dramatic coastline, the bay was carved out as a massive glacial fjord system during the last Ice Age. As the massive glaciers retreated over thousands of years, the deep, U-shaped valleys filled with ocean water.
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