The Eventual Atlantic Mega-Tsunami

Scientists have long predicted an eventual "mega-tsunami" that will sweep across the Atlantic and be 60 to 150-feet high when it hits the U.S. Eastern seaboard.

1 minute read

December 30, 2004, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The western flank of Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palmain the Canaries is going to slide into the Atlantic one of these days: adiagonal fracture has already separated it from the main body of thevolcano, and only friction still keeps it attached. 'When it goes, it willlikely collapse in about 90 seconds,' said Professor Bill McGuire, directorof the Benfield Grieg Hazard Research Centre at University College London. And when it goes, probably during an eruption, the splash will create amega-tsunami that races across the Atlantic and drowns the facingcoastlines."

[Editor's note: Gwynne Dyer is a London-based independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.]

Thanks to Slashdot

Wednesday, August 11, 2004 in Gwynne Dyer

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