Struck by a 125 Foot High Wave; Canada’s Recent Tsunami | Unexplained

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Struck by a 125 Foot High Wave; Canada’s Recent Tsunami

In the early afternoon of December 4, 2007, a serene day at Chehalis Lake turned catastrophic. A massive landslide triggered a tsunami, creating a wave that reached heights of 128 feet. This event not only reshaped the…

March 10, 2025 • 3 min read • Art Grindstone

Art Grindstone is the hard-nosed storyteller behind Unexplained.co, a veteran investigator whose life’s work sits at the crossroads of the paranormal, fringe science, and the shadows most people try not to look into. With decades spent chasing impossible stories — black-budget psychic programs, vanished Cold War experiments, desert rituals that sparked UFO waves, and the strange phenomena buried in America’s forgotten backroads — Art brings a rare combination of skepticism, awe, and journalistic precision. He’s not here to debunk. He’s not here to blindly believe. He follows the evidence wherever it leads — even when it leads someplace deeply uncomfortable. Known for his immersive, cinematic style and his ability to turn obscure research into gripping narrative, Art has built a devoted following across podcasts, long-form features, documentaries, and serialized investigations. His interviews are direct. His analysis is unflinching. His voice has become a staple in the modern paranormal renaissance — the guy people turn to when a story is too strange, too complex, or too dangerous for anyone else to touch. Off-mic, Art works with a distributed network of researchers, archivists, and field operatives who help surface the stories mainstream media ignores. On-mic, he transforms their findings into meticulous, high-impact reporting that refuses to insult the intelligence of true believers. His philosophy is simple: Take the phenomenon seriously. Treat the audience with respect. Tell the story as if the world depends on it — because sometimes it does. When Art Grindstone digs into a case, he isn’t just chasing a mystery. He’s tracing the fault lines of reality itself.

In This Report(6)

In the early afternoon of December 4, 2007, a serene day at Chehalis Lake turned catastrophic. A massive landslide triggered a tsunami, creating a wave that reached heights of 128 feet. This event not only reshaped the landscape but also posed a significant threat to nearby communities.

Key Takeaways

Date of Event: December 4, 2007
Location: Chehalis Lake, British Columbia
Wave Height: 128 feet (38 meters)
Speed of Wave: 59 mph (95 km/h)
Damage: 10,000 trees, three campsites, and a boat launch destroyed
No Casualties: No human lives lost due to the time of year

The Landslide That Started It All

On that fateful day, the tranquility of Chehalis Lake was shattered by a loud roar. A section of the mountainside east of Mount Ora collapsed, generating a landslide that moved at an astonishing speed of 134.2 km/h. This landslide was not just a minor event; it was a massive geological shift that would have dire consequences.

The Tsunami’s Impact

The landslide generated a tsunami that advanced across Chehalis Lake at a speed of 59 mph. Within just 30 seconds, the towering wave crashed against the eastern shoreline. Here’s a breakdown of the wave’s journey:

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Initial Impact: 30 seconds to reach the eastern shoreline.
Northern Point: Another 15 seconds to hit the northernmost point of the lake.
River Surge: 15 seconds later, the wave traveled half a kilometer up the Chehalis River.
Continued Destruction: Over the next 3.25 minutes, the wave swept away thousands of coniferous trees lining the valley walls.
Final Surge: The wave reached the southern end of the lake, partially surging over the downstream portion of the Chehalis River.

Despite the extensive damage, including the destruction of three campsites and a boat launch, no lives were lost. The cold December weather had kept recreational activities at bay, which likely prevented potential casualties.

The Aftermath: Log Jam and Flood Risk

In the wake of the tsunami, thousands of floating logs formed a log jam, resembling a beaver dam. This created a new risk: a potential outburst flood that could threaten communities downstream. Fortunately, efforts to remove the debris blocking the river’s path were successful, alleviating the immediate danger.