![]() The "mega-tsunami" theory often resurfaces with news of a volcanic eruption or seismic activity in the Canary Islands. 'Mega-tsunami' theory resurfaces with seismic activity in La Palma's None of these conditions have occurred, however. ![]() Those two phenomena together could lead to a landslide of the Cumbre Vieja flank, which is what Ward and Day's theory hypothesized. The islands' volcanology institute has assured that extreme conditions would have to occur for the theory to become a reality.įor instance, the volcano would have to grow by 1,000 meters over its current height, which the institute told Spanish national TV station Antena 3 would take another 40,000 years.įact check: Police confirm Brian Laundrie lookalike in viral trail cam photo isn't himĪnother way a "mega-tsunami" could occur is if an earthquake of "exceptionally high magnitude" and a high magnitude volcanic eruption were to take place at the same time. National Tsunami Warning Center posted on Facebook that the eruption did not pose any tsunami risks to the East Coast. Geological Survey said the tsunami threat remained local, debunking users' claims that a purported "mega-tsunami" would happen. ![]() Spanish and American officials have pushed back on the theory, however.Īfter announcing the eruption on Twitter on Sept. The four-page paper said that "during a future" eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, a landslide of between 150 and 500 cubic kilometers, which could trigger a tsunami with waves between 10 and 25 meters high hitting North America around nine hours after the hypothesized volcanic eruption. ![]() The theory has been around since 2001, when two college professors – Steven Ward from University of California, Santa Cruz and Simon Day from University College in London – published a study about the possibility of a tsunami originating in the Canary Islands later reaching American coasts and other parts of the world. The chances of acid rain and toxic clouds remain low, though the volcanic ash in the air could pose a risk to residents of the island.Īnd there's a vastly lower chance of a landslide causing a tsunami big enough to reach the coast of the United States.įact check: Moon landing conspiracy theory misrepresents lunar footprint 21, two days after the initial spew of lava, the Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption had covered around 254 acres and destroyed 166 buildings, according to the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute, which has been sharing news and analysis on the eruption. Volcanic eruption not big enough to create tsunamiĪs of Sept. USA TODAY reached out to the users who shared the image for comment. More: Volcano erupts on Spanish island La Palma forcing thousands of evacuations In reality, it's a hypothesis that both American and Spanish officials have debunked, saying the conditions required for a tsunami big enough to submerge part of the country's coasts are extremely unlikely to happen. While the theory being shared exists, social media users are presenting it as if it is a likely scenario or represents an expert consensus of some kind. Nick Knowles, an English television presenter, also shared a version of the claim on Twitter, where he has almost 160,000 followers. 19, accrued more than 800 shares in two days before it was deleted. Another version, posted on Facebook on Sept. The image has spread widely on social media. Text laid over it claims that a "50 meter tsunami after Canary Island volcano eruption and landslide puts THIS under water." Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and parts of southern Texas and Louisiana are among the areas that would be purportedly affected by the tsunami, according to the image. The accompanying image is a map of the eastern part of the United States. "They have been predicting this for years." "The things I've read they are expecting it to erupt and a piece of land would slide into the ocean and it would cause a tsunami for the USA east coast!" the post says. ![]() 20 it had already forced the evacuation and relocation of over 5,000 residents.Īs the latest developments are shared online, many social media users are also sharing a longtime theory that the eruption could cause a tsunami that would reach the East Coast of the United States. 19 after a weeklong buildup of seismic activity.ĭays later, the lava continued to flow through the four mouths of the volcano toward the island's western coast. On the island of La Palma, in the Canary Islands, a volcano erupted in the afternoon of Sept. Watch Video: Volcano on Spanish island La Palma erupts for first time in 30 years The claim: Experts predict La Palma eruption to create tsunami that would reach the U.S.Ī decades-old theory has resurfaced online after a volcanic eruption on a Spanish island that caught the world's attention. ![]()
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