Spain’s ‘tsunami trigger’ under watch – but experts say US risk is low

It may sound like a plot in a huge hit disaster movie, but scientists have long warned that a volcano on a Spanish island will form In theory Unleash the big waves of travel forever Crossing the Atlantic.

We are talking about La Palma, part of the Canary Islands where experts are studying what Maybe Part of the island’s volcano, part of Cumbre Vieja, occurs. It was to collapse To the sea. Will that happen? Technically, yes. probably Will it happen soon? Let’s take a look at the facts.

A volcano on the side of a wobble

The fear is banishing thousands of inhabitants and covering vast lava lands, centering on the western slopes of Cumbre Vieja, the same volcano that erupted in 2021.

But the bigger threat — according to Some Previous research – What would happen if most of the western flank of a volcano slipped into the ocean at once? That collapse could inflate a large amount of water and could send a potentially huge tsunami that races across the Atlantic.

This idea became famous in a 2001 study. I was led by Doctor With Simon Day Doctor Stephen Ward warned of a “potential catastrophic collapse” that produces so-called megatunamis. They predicted waves of up to 25 meters that would hit parts of the eastern US coast, with extreme heights near the source.

“Our model predicted waves would travel to the Americas,” Dr. Day said in his original paper (University College London, 2001). “But this is The worst case Not a prediction, but a scenario. ”

Will that happen? Scientists burst a huge wave on Netflix bubble

Spain’s waves are so big, does that wash away New York? It’s a disaster flick – and now, Netflix dramas. In one recent series, when La Palma’s Cambrevieja collapses, families on vacation in the Canary Islands get caught up in a chaotic volcanic chain, causing “megatunami” that crosses the entire Atlantic Ocean and swallows the entire coastline.. Hold it Terry. Complete nonsense.

Top volcanologists have been getting heavier to set the record straight. They don’t buy big wave hype. “The eruption of the island depicted in the series and the rapid collapse that follows are not plausible scenarios that scientists are concerned about,” wrote researchers at the University of Liverpool and Waikato University. conversation January.

Science has moved on since grabbing the headlines of the 2001 Megatunami paper by Simon Day and Stephen Ward. An updated simulation, including a 2008 study by tsunami expert Dr. Stephan Grilli, shows that if the volcano collapses into the ocean (and likely not immediately possible, by the way), the waves reach the US East Coast in just 1-2 meters. It’s not a biblical wipeout – it’s a rough day on the beach.

For those close to action, like the Canary Islands and West Africa, the waves can crash to a height of 10-30 meters. There’s no small splash, but there’s no such thing as the Tidal monster that breaks Times Square.

Scientists now believe that collapse is like any collapse probably It happens in slow motion, not as a single huge rush. So, Is there a possibility of a sudden ending wave? slim.

Experts warn that Netflix dramas may make entertainment for your seat, but that misinformation is also spreading. And when the community is still rebuilding from a real-life 2021 eruption, Scarmongeling is useless.

New 2025 research sheds light on magma movement

just We thought Cumbre Vieja was submitted under “debunked”. Science has given a twist. A new study in 2025 revealed that magma had begun to stir until 15 years before the 2021 eruption.

Scientists warn that MegaTunami events are unlikely, but today’s detection systems may miss signs of an eruption unless upgraded. I’ll pay so that I don’t feel cheeky.

Yes, Cumbre Vieja is a volcano worth seeing, I’ll go grab it Still a New York surfboard.

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