Steven N. Ward of the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at the University of California produced the following paper: pdf document This link starts a download of a pdf document that has to be read using Adobe reader. The reader can be downloaded at AdobeReader.com if you don’t already have it on your computer. The remainder of this article is a summary of what that paper states combined with information from other sources. You may want to read the original sources for yourself in order to understand the potential danger that exists today’s.
Cumbre Vieja Volcano, Canary Islands
The Cumbre Vieja Volcano forms one of the Islands in the Canary Islands complex. It has erupted many times over recent geologic history. It is being predicted that a huge chunk of rock on the western flank of this volcano may slide into the sea sometime in the foreseeable future. What will happen if this even occurs?
Scientists studying this possibility believe it may generate a Tsunami wave ranging in size from as small as 32.81 feet to as high as 82.02 feet. As it crosses the Atlantic, it will increase in size according to the depth of the ocean near the coastlines it approaches.
According to a BBC television program, the following is likely to occur if this volcano collapses as expected by other scientists:
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.
NOTE: 20 KM is equivalent to 12 miles. Some people are stating the wave could reach up to 50 miles inland!
Conclusions
I have heard the predictions and read the articles. How do I react to such a potentially devastating event? First, I remember that as a Christian, God is in control of “natural events”. Second, I determine not to panic if such an event actually occurs. Three, I wonder if some government agency is already looking into this problem and making plans? Fourth, if I lived on the Eastern coast of the United States, I would know some quick routes of escape to reach an area at least 100 miles from the coast!
What Do You Think?
May I invite you to post your comments in the environment forum? Here are some ideas to address: Do you even concern yourself about events that may or may not happen in the immediate future to one outside your life span? Should our scientists even waste time and money researching these events? Would your opinion have been different before the recent tsunami in December 2004?
