Alert: Volcano eruption in La Palma could result in mega-tsunami

Discussion in 'The Signs of the Times' started by luz, Sep 14, 2021.

  1. BrianK

    BrianK Powers Staff Member

    https://billmcguire.substack.com/p/la-palmas-cumbre-vieja-eruption

    La Palma's Cumbre Vieja eruption
    Should we worry about a flank collapse and tsunami?
    Bill McGuireSep 20
    Some of you may know that my research team was heavily involved in the 1990s and early 2000s in mapping the geology and monitoring ground movement at La Palma’s Cumbre Vieja volcano, which started erupting yesterday afternoon. The work recognised that the steep west flank of the volcano was unstable, and GPS measurements suggested that up to 500 cubic km could be slowly creeping seawards as a single, discrete, block at 1 - 2 cm a year. My colleagues, Simon Day and Steve Ward published a tsunami model, simulating what would happen if the entire block slid rapidly into the sea in a single event, as well as less extreme scenarios. The paper noted that a worst-case collapse would threaten the entire North Atlantic rim with a large and destructive tsunami. This attracted huge media attention, as did the BBC Horizon programme about our work - Megatsunami: Wave of Destruction - broadcast in 2000.

    In academic circles, our findings also caused a flurry of interest that continues today. Arguing against the possibility of a major tsunami, some researchers proposed that the collapse would be slow and/or piecemeal, so that a major tsunami would not be generated. Others suggested that even if there was a major collapse, the tsunami would only be destructive locally or just within the Canary Islands archipelago, and would not be destructive at oceanic distances - e.g. the eastern seaboard of North America or Europe.

    Other research and observations have, however, pointed to the fact that collapses big enough and fast enough to generate major tsunamis were not only possible, but quite common. Tsunami desposits arising from ancient volcanic collapses in the Canary Islands, Cape Verdes, Hawaii and elsewhere, provide evidence of waves that could be hundreds of metres high. Furthermore, giant boulder and other deposits preserved on Bermuda and in the Bahamas have been interpreted as having been emplaced by tsunamis arising from ancient collapses in the Canary Islands, arguing that destructive ocean-crossing tsunamis from future collapses are possible.

    Meanwhile, sea-floor images from the Canary Islands and elsewhere reveal that blocks of rock as large as the west flank of the Cumbre Vieja, or even larger, can slide into the sea in one go, thereby maximising the likelihood of major tsunami generation.

    We stopped monitoring movement at the Cumbre Vieja in the early 2000s, so have no idea what has been happening since then, and especially in the build-up to the current eruption. Nonetheless, it is important to recognises that the west flank of the volcano remains an actively unstable rock mass that will fail at some point.

    We continue to be confident that a major, tsunami-generating, collapse is perfectly possible - even probable - at this volcano, whether or not any tsunami impact is localised or extended. WE DO NOT, HOWEVER, PROPOSE THAT IT WILL HAPPEN IN THIS ERUPTION. It is likely that when the west flank fails, it will do so during an eruption, but this could be 10, 30, or 50 eruptions down the line. The chances that collapse will occur during the current eruption are very small, but we cannot say they are zero.
     
    Beth B, DeGaulle, AED and 5 others like this.
  2. miker

    miker Powers

    I hope/trust this assessment is accurate.
     
  3. "Quis ut Deus"

    "Quis ut Deus" ADMIN Staff Member

    recent update...since 3:52 am this morning 17 earthquakes recorded the largest being 3.2m at 06:05 so a definite rise in tremors.. area around sea shore being evacuated as lava approaches.


    On the live streams things seem to have gone very very quiet..please God thats the end of it ..
     
    Byron, Jo M, Beth B and 7 others like this.
  4. jackzokay

    jackzokay Powers

    I have several John. They are absolutely stunning. The photographs and video from them are unbelievable. Especially for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and the countryside.
    My neighbour recently moved house after 15 years next to me. I took a shot of his house (which he kept impeccably) from the sky. Framed the picture and gave it to him as a leaving present. He was delighted.
    I have one particular drone that can go about 2 and a half miles out. The technology is mind-blowing. They are a great hobby....
     
    Byron, Michael Pio, AED and 6 others like this.
  5. Adoremus

    Adoremus Powers

  6. Carol55

    Carol55 Ave Maria

    This is only related because it occurred after an earthquake (but in 1959). (Edited to correct the year - I really need eye glasses but I'm being stubborn).

    We just got back from a trip out west, we visited Grand Teton and Yellowstone; and attended a wedding.

    Last Tuesday morning, the receptionist at our hotel in Montana suggested that we take a ride outside of Yellowstone. Basically a loop drive that would take an hour or so without stops. She told us that we would pass a few lakes one of which is called Quake Lake due to an earthquake and she mentioned that several people had died at the time of the quake.

    Well after stopping a few times to take pictures and passing the site of the quake, an hour had gone by and we weren't back yet and I needed to take a bathroom break. At that time, I was relieved to see a sign for a cafe. So, we turned down a little path and found the cafe in the middle of a small campground, I believe. From the outside the place looked rustic and I wasn't sure what to expect but after going inside and passing through a small gift/tackle shop, the little cafe was quite adorable and had a beautiful view of the river behind it. So, I used the facilities and my husband and I sat down for a meal which was delicious. When we paid the cashier I told her that I was going to write something nice about the place on the internet and she walked out from behind the counter and asked me to follow her outside because she wanted to show me something. She briefly told me about the quake and what had happened in 1957 and pointed up to some cracks in the side of the mountain that appeared after the quake. I took this picture of it.

    upload_2021-9-27_9-29-40.png

    The cracks had formed a large cross. The cashier explained that her and her husband bought the place a few years ago and that she was told it was blessed. She went on to explain, in so many words, that although they have experienced some issues like a large tree falling on their home next to the cafe, she absolutely believed that the place is blessed.+

    Here are some photos that I took which explain the tragedy of the 1959 earthquake.

    upload_2021-9-27_9-36-24.png

    upload_2021-9-27_9-38-46.png

    upload_2021-9-27_9-39-33.png
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
  7. Carol55

    Carol55 Ave Maria

    Here are some other photos from our trip that I thought that you might like.

    The Chapel of the Transfiguration, an episcopal chapel.
    upload_2021-9-27_9-45-21.png

    upload_2021-9-27_9-46-12.png


    The Chapel of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic chapel.

    upload_2021-9-27_9-58-18.png

    upload_2021-9-27_10-1-18.png

    They also have a beautiful wooden carving of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

    I have lots of other pictures from the trip including many of the wildlife (bison and elk, etc.) and the beautiful scenery that we saw but I thought that you would like these photos the best.

    I wasn't following the news very much at all last week but my husband was; and it was/is a little disturbing to hear about that story of Gabby Petito whose body was found in Grand Teton the day after we drove through the park. Prayers for her and her family. +
     
  8. HeavenlyHosts

    HeavenlyHosts Powers

    Glad you had a wonderful and blessed trip. :)
     
  9. "Quis ut Deus"

    "Quis ut Deus" ADMIN Staff Member

    After a pause earlier.. Activity is picking up again. The volcano has been producing intermittent explosions with ash emissions from the new cone, at intervals of roughly every 10 minutes.
     
  10. IheartMary

    IheartMary Angels

    I've been watching this volcano and the thread quietly. Thank you for posting updates! I checked in to the live feed this morning and it looks like it's all gone quiet??? I hope it's ending soon.
     
    Michael Pio and AED like this.
  11. "Quis ut Deus"

    "Quis ut Deus" ADMIN Staff Member

    looks like its all over (y)(y):love::notworthy::notworthy:
     
    HeavenlyHosts and Jo M like this.
  12. HeavenlyHosts

    HeavenlyHosts Powers

    ?Dare we hope???
     
    AED likes this.
  13. Jo M

    Jo M Powers

    Thank you Carol, I never knew about the '57' quake.
    The cross in those rocks is amazing.
     
    AED and Carol55 like this.
  14. "Quis ut Deus"

    "Quis ut Deus" ADMIN Staff Member


    nope its just awoke again...Dear Lord have mercy...
     
  15. Jo M

    Jo M Powers

    :(
     
    Beth B and AED like this.
  16. "Quis ut Deus"

    "Quis ut Deus" ADMIN Staff Member

    Lava is continuing on its path to the sea...
     
    AED and Jo M like this.
  17. AED

    AED Powers

    Oh boy. Just---oh boy. Deep breath.
    You know I woke up this morning with the absolute conviction that I must go to the Monastery. Have Masses arranged. Go to confession
    Its a long way to go and no time to arrange with my friend who usually goes with me. Last week I was very ill so I couldn't go. Some flu bug--not covid thanks be to God.
    So off I went. It was a day of so many blessings but getting to Confession to Fr John was the greatest grace. I was invited to join the staff and friars for lunch. It was bliss. But they know--- they know about La Palma and the possible tidal wave... and whats very possibly coming. Fr John remains peaceful but certain I would say--that great chastisement is imminent. I don't say this to scare anyone but just be alert and prayerful. Debated whether or not to share this but this post by Adoremus decided me.
     
    Booklady, Ella, Seagrace and 10 others like this.
  18. BrianK

    BrianK Powers Staff Member

    Just went three hours out of my way to meet with my spiritual director and go to confession. Felt compelled.
     
    Ella, Seagrace, Michael Pio and 7 others like this.
  19. AED

    AED Powers

    Hmm. Interesting. The secretary at the monastery who is a friend told me she had the exact same compulsion a few days ago.
     
  20. Jo M

    Jo M Powers

    Thank you for sharing this AED. Glad you are feeling better. What a blessed day you had. :)
     

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