Cumbre Vieja Collapse Threatens 65ft Waves Across the Atlantic
A wall of rock on the Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Canary Islands is slowly creeping toward the sea, raising concerns that its eventual collapse could trigger a megatsunami with towering waves of up to 65ft reaching the US East Coast in just nine hours. Volcanologist Professor Bill McGuire has spent years studying the active volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma. Computer modeling indicates that a worst-case scenario collapse would generate an initial dome of water almost a kilometer high, sending destructive waves across the North Atlantic.
Evidence of prehistoric impacts from similar events can be found thousands of miles away in the Bahamas. Researchers have identified massive boulders positioned along the shore, which geologists believe were transported across the Atlantic by ancient tsunamis created by volcanic collapses. The Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge most recently erupted in 2021, an event that lasted 85 days, destroyed more than 2,800 structures, and forced thousands of residents to flee as lava flows engulfed nearly 12 square kilometers of the island.
The claim stems from volcanologist Bill McGuire’s recent BBC Science Focus piece on Cumbre Vieja (La Palma, Canary Islands). He notes the western flank has crept seaward for decades and expects an eventual collapse that could generate a large tsunami, with some models showing…
Disputed Predictions and Scientific Debate Over Atlantic Megatsunamis
While Professor McGuire warns that a catastrophic flank collapse is inevitable, other researchers strongly dispute the severity of the threat. The Tsunami Society previously issued a paper to challenge what committee members characterized as unfounded reports regarding a future Atlantic catastrophe. The committee stated that while the volcano is expected to erupt again, it will not send a large part of the island into the ocean, conceding only that small landslides might occur.
The Tsunami Society committee emphasized that no such event as a megatsunami has occurred in either the Atlantic or Pacific oceans in recorded history. Addressing the timeline of any potential disaster, Professor McGuire noted that the collapse is not an imminent danger. He stated that he has no doubt the event will be cataclysmic, but added that it could easily happen centuries or even millennia down the line.
Historical Scale of Destructive Ocean Waves
To contextualize the potential scale of extreme wave events, the deadliest tsunami in documented history struck across the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day in 2004. Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesia, that disaster claimed more than 227,000 lives across 15 nations. In parts of Indonesia, waves attained heights of up to 167ft, while approximately 1.7 million people were displaced from their homes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the La Palma Volcano Threat
When did the Cumbre Vieja volcano last erupt?
The Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge last erupted in 2021, continuing for 85 days and destroying over 2,800 buildings across La Palma.
The claim is real but overstated. Volcanologist Bill McGuire restated a long-known hypothesis about Cumbre Vieja on La Palma (Canary Islands) in a recent BBC Science Focus piece. A flank collapse could generate a tsunami, but he notes it may not happen for centuries or millennia.…
How fast would tsunami waves travel to the United States?
Computer simulations suggest that destructive waves could reach the Eastern Seaboard just nine hours after an initial flank collapse.
Is a volcanic collapse considered an immediate danger?
No, scientists emphasize that a collapse is not an imminent threat and could occur centuries or even millennia in the future.