Satellite observations from the NASA-CNES Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite have provided unprecedented insight into the early stages of tsunamis, specifically following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, 2025. Within 70 minutes of the quake, SWOT captured not only the main tsunami wave but also a distinct pattern of trailing smaller waves, a phenomenon previously only predicted by models. This detailed, two-dimensional mapping of sea surface height near the ocean trench where tectonic plates meet offers a new understanding of tsunami generation and propagation, potentially improving future hazard assessments and coastal resilience. The study, published in Science, highlights SWOT's advantage over traditional sensors in capturing wave structure and origin location.