The Next Wave: Science of Tsunamis

The Discovery Channel ^ | 1-9-2005

[FreeKeys]

Explore one of the most dangerous and enigmatic forces on earth, tsunamis. See the science behind their devastating power. Understand where they come from and what we can do to better prepare. It's not if it will happen again, but when.

[FreeKeys]

This appears to be a remake of an older documentary. They added footage from the Indian Ocean tsunami, and taken out some of the older footage which showed that an underwater Canary Islands landslide 5 miles high could trigger a 1,000-foot high Tsunami which could inundate the entire Florida peninsula. Plus, this time they say such a landslide could happen slowly instead of all at once, toning down the mention of the scarier possibilities.

[FreeKeys]

This program is scheduled to air 6 times Monday (tomorrow?) and 5 times Tuesday.  See the schedule HERE and HERE.

[Carry_Okie]

Does it make any sense to precipitate a slow Canary Island landslide instead of simply waiting?

[AntiGuv]

I think so, but the radical enviros would have a magnificent conniption.

[FreeKeys]

Does it make any sense to precipitate a slow Canary Island landslide instead of simply waiting?

I doubt it. La Palma Island rises 4 miles from the ocean floor, and is at least another mile high. Shhh. Please don't give the blue meanies any ideas.

[kenth]

Can you imagine the complete and utter freakout? The wailing and gnashing of teeth would probably set off their own tsunami.

[FreeKeys]

I mean green meanies.

[jonrick46]

I knew what causes a tsunami the first time I took a bath in a bath tub. My mom was not happy about all of the water on the floor.

The wave machine at Wild Waves in Federal Way Washington makes some decent waves.

Such are examples of man-caused waves. The Homo-centric liberals will try to show how man could be responsible for triggering a tsunami. They might try to make a case for man's responsibility for the Indonesian Tsunami. Their ultimate goal is to blame George Bush. They are setting the stage for that stupid logic right now.

[FreeKeys]

I mean green meanies.

Ooops. I mean watermelon meanies. You know, envious on the outside and stupid on the inside.

[JohnBovenmyer]

La Palma Island rises 4 miles from the ocean floor, and is at least another mile high.

So long as the volcano doesn't interfere, you could strip mine off the exposed top and dump it safely. It might take awhile, but it's not impossible. You might not remove half the potential landslide volume, but you'd get the part with the greatest potential energy. Probably not worth doing unless the currently controversy over the risk resolves to an urgent (say 25-50 year likelihood) one.

[Simo Hayha]

While watching the documentary, I had the same idea...and then I hoped certain groups wouldn't be taking up the study of geology.

[FreeKeys]

What every Floridian should have (just in case)

image source:  http://www.clusterballoon.org/intro/intro_51.jpg  
found at:  http://www.clusterballoon.org/intro/intro.html