Recently a landform called a chevron was noted on a Landsat 7 image of Madagascar. These chevrons may have been formed by a mega-tsunami produced 4,800 years ago by a meteorite or comet impact with the Indian Ocean.
Posted on 02/03/2008 4:35:17 PM PST by blam
Mega-tsunami theory disputed
February 03, 2008
SUPPOSED evidence Australia has been subject to prehistoric tsunamis up to 20m in height over the past 10,000 years could just be the result of Aboriginal occupation, a major conference is set to hear tomorrow.
Archaeologists from the Australian National University say the theory about the mega-tsunamis, which has influenced the development of emergency service plans in Western Australia, is not supported by evidence.
In 2003 Australian geological researchers suggested prehistoric tsunamis over the past 10,000 years were much larger than those recorded since European settlement, including findings of surges up to 20m in height affecting a 2500km stretch of the WA coast.
“Our field work would suggest that the shell and coral deposits found high on headlands in WA or further inland are evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the area, and not deposits of mega-tsunamis or other major inundations,” ANU researcher Dr Tony Barham said.
He and colleagues Dr Sue O'Connor and Dr Stewart Fallon have also found that archaeological deposits in the area have not been disturbed by major inundation for 1000 years, undermining the theory that giant waves had flooded the area once every 400 to 500 years.
The findings will be presented to the Archaeological Science Conference at ANU, which starts tomorrow and concludes Wednesday.
“These earlier theories about mega-tsunamis and their frequency have been quite influential in WA for the development of emergency service plans – but our research would suggest that they are not supported by the archaeological evidence,” Dr Barham said.
“This is a great example of why solid archaeological research should be taken into account in the planning processes for future emergencies.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
GGG Ping.
Don't tell me the aboriginals lied to us to keep us from their 'sacred sites'? That's shocking!
“This is a great example of why solid archaeological research should be taken into account in the planning processes for future emergencies.
And what about the geologists, don't they get a bite at the cherry?
“Archaeology is a vital discipline for understanding the environmental and climate-change risks we face in Australia, as it shows how the continents' earlier inhabitants dealt with sudden and long-term changes to their environment.”
They were nomadic. They moved around a huge landscape. And besides, haven't you just proven there were no long-term changes they had to worry about?
The conference will also hear how early agriculture was sustained in drying landscapes.
How early? There was no agriculture on this continent until settlement just a few hundred years ago. All the 'evidence' you need can be found in government records and newspaper archives.
(I'm a bit cranky today.)
earthweb.ess.washington.edu/.../downloads/report%20drafts/DRAFT%20-%20Impact%20Tsunamis%20-%20Abbott.doc
Not just Australia, but Madagascar is implicated in megatsunamis.
Most papers point to the undersea Burckle crater in the Indian Ocean. The other side of Australia may have been “waved” by the Mahuika crater.
Burckle may have come down as recently as 4500- 6000 years ago, right at the edge of recorded history.
One more reference.
I’ve seen disciplines justify their exalted positions before, but this one is a gem. Definitely must keep for future reference. So a bunch of ideologically-driven academics preempt five hundred years of physical science? Are we now supposed to worship at the shrine of Margaret Mead and beg her intercede with the nature gods? Beautiful stuff, thanks for posting.
Recently a landform called a chevron was noted on a Landsat 7 image of Madagascar. These chevrons may have been formed by a mega-tsunami produced 4,800 years ago by a meteorite or comet impact with the Indian Ocean.
Wow! This is cool, thanks! I’ve been looking for something like this.
Oooh shiny!
A thanks from those of us who have no idea what a meter is.
Shell middens deposited by humans typically contain shells of a very few selected (human food) species. Geophysical (tsunami) deposits generally contain a very wide -- and mixed -- assortment of shells of diverse species.
Any archaeologist worth hiring should be able to tell the difference between a midden and a geophysical deposit.
And no human (certainly no aboriginal) activity of which I am aware can create massive "chevron" landforms.
Methinks some Aussie Archies are thinking more highly of themselves than is warranted...
I'm in agreement with your line of thinking.
Shouldn't be that difficult.
 |
||
| · join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · | ||
What?
Why is Oz exempt from whatever hits the rest of the world?
*she asks, demurely*
I think it was near the four corners in Colorado that their is “Black Ridge” or something that has a thick deposit of black obsidian all along the top. Nearest outcrop for the stuff is hundreds of miles away. Seems the indians sat on this ridge making flint arrows and spears while waiting for the buffalo to appear.
|
|
|||
Gods |
Thanks Blam. |
||
|
· Mirabilis · Texas AM Anthropology News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · · History or Science & Nature Podcasts · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
|||
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
