Posted on 12/28/2004 6:19:53 PM PST by FormerACLUmember
Scattered across the world’s oceans are a handful of rare geological time-bombs. Once unleashed they create an extraordinary phenomenon, a gigantic tidal wave, far bigger than any normal tsunami, able to cross oceans and ravage countries on the other side of the world. Only recently have scientists realised the next episode is likely to begin at the Canary Islands, off North Africa, where a wall of water will one day be created which will race across the entire Atlantic ocean at the speed of a jet airliner to devastate the east coast of the United States. America will have been struck by a mega-tsunami.
Back in 1953 two geologists travelled to a remote bay in Alaska looking for oil. They gradually realised that in the past the bay had been struck by huge waves, and wondered what could have possibly caused them. Five years later, they got their answer. In 1958 there was a landslide, in which a towering cliff collapsed into the bay, creating a wave half a kilometre high, higher than any skyscraper on Earth. The true destructive potential of landslide-generated tsunami, which scientists named "Mega-tsunami", suddenly began to be appreciated. If a modest-sized landslide in Alaska could create a wave of this size, what havoc could a really huge landslide cause?
Scientists now realise that the greatest danger comes from large volcanic islands, which are particularly prone to these massive landslides. Geologists began to look for evidence of past landslides on the sea bed, and what they saw astonished them. The sea floor around Hawaii, for instance, was covered with the remains of millions of years’ worth of ancient landslides, colossal in size.
But huge landslides and the mega-tsunami that they cause are extremely rare - the last one happened 4,000 years ago on the island of Réunion. The growing concern is that the ideal conditions for just such a landslide - and consequent mega-tsunami - now exist on the island of La Palma in the Canaries. In 1949 the southern volcano on the island erupted. During the eruption an enormous crack appeared across one side of the volcano, as the western half slipped a few metres towards the Atlantic before stopping in its tracks. Although the volcano presents no danger while it is quiescent, scientists believe the western flank will give way completely during some future eruption on the summit of the volcano. In other words, any time in the next few thousand years a huge section of southern La Palma, weighing 500 thousand million tonnes, will fall into the Atlantic ocean.
What will happen when the volcano on La Palma collapses? Scientists predict that it will generate a wave that will be almost inconceivably destructive, far bigger than anything ever witnessed in modern times. It will surge across the entire Atlantic in a matter of hours, engulfing the whole US east coast, sweeping away everything in its path up to 20km inland. Boston would be hit first, followed by New York, then all the way down the coast to Miami and the Caribbean.
But make no mistake about it, I have been truly shocked and saddened by this cataclysm and the human suffering which has ensued.
Many FReepers have already posted links to reputable private organizations for providing private aide, which will surely supplement that governments after they have "geared up".
I will be contributing as much as I can, and I am confident that others, and governments likewise, will do so also.
That said, prayers are lifted by my family for the lost souls and all who suffered loss in this astonishing event. We truly go but by the grace of the Almighty.
I think we might let them do just that if it happens, the land would be barren.
You sure nailed that one right.
Couple of days ago it was 11 degrees with snow.
Tomorrow will be in the mid 70s
Little town I live in had 2 tornadoes last summer.
Well this should be the next great disaster movie made as a follow up to "The Day After Tomorrow".
Remember the story of the old sailor who said he was going to walk inland with a pair of oars on his shoulder until someone asked him what they were. He would retire there.
Gold coins might be better?
I think I saw the same show. It was on Discovery Channel. If it was right, my property will become beachfront. (I'm near the geographic center of North Carolina, about 300 feet above sea level.)
It was on the channel formerly known as the Discovery Channel....It's now known as the American Chopper channel.
So, since I'm in Upstate NY, near Buffalo, I'll have beach front property?
For an hour or so, yes.
It'll probably wash Bledsoe & Malloy back to Foxboro in the process....
Whatever happens, Hollywood will be deeply saddened that it wasn't much worse.
It will surge across the entire Atlantic in a matter of hours,
Do ya think we could get people off the beaches in those hours?
In the dead of winter, it won't take long north of Cape Hatteras......
Bye bye blue states. I hope the few conservatives get out before it happens.
Where the hell do we go in Florida? I guess we would not have time to get to Georgia or Alabama- we are all in the flat lands and only 2 1/2 hours across from ocean to ocean - eek!
In Florida just get 20 km (11 miles or so) away from the shore and you will survival a supposed mega-tsunami. Not that I really believe for one second that one is coming. It will take 12 hours for a Canary Island tsunami to reach the US.
I'm glad I'm 40 miles inland from Boston and 400 feet above sea level!
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