The popular Netflix series La Palma has quickly become a must-watch, claiming the third spot on the streaming service’s U.S. top 10 chart shortly after its debut on December 12. This Norwegian show, while fictional, draws inspiration from a real-world hypothesis regarding the potential collapse of a Manhattan-sized section of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Canary Islands. Such an event could theoretically trigger a catastrophic tsunami, impacting the East Coast of North America and beyond.
Chilling Details Overlooked by La Palma
Recent studies reveal critical insights following the 2021 volcanic eruption that are overlooked in the series. According to a 2022 study, a significant magma reservoir lies beneath La Palma, indicating the possibility of future volcanic activity. Dr. Luca D’Auria, who leads the volcanic surveillance efforts at the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (Involcan), and her research team utilized high-resolution imaging techniques to understand the island’s magma system better.
The scholars employed seismic tomography—an advanced technique that interprets earthquake data to map subterranean formations. This method unveiled that, ahead of the eruption that lasted 85 days and caused severe damage, magma ascended rapidly from depths of 10 kilometers to the Earth’s surface.
Dr. D’Auria’s team noted, “Our results suggest that this large magma reservoir feeds the La Palma eruption continuously.” This insight is particularly alarming as it highlights the speed at which volcanic activity can intensify, spurring anxiety over potential disasters in the future.
However, there’s no immediate reason for panic. While the rapid movement of magma serves as a stark reminder of nature’s might, it doesn’t pose an immediate threat to residents or viewers alike.
Debunking the La Palma Tsunami Disaster Theory
La Palma experienced notable volcanic activity in 2021.
While La Palma is rooted in a hypothesis proposed by researchers Steven N. Ward and Simon Day in 2001, experts have begun to challenge the predictions regarding tsunami size and the intensity of a potential volcanic collapse. Although the recent eruption has reignited discussions about these dangers, the prospect of a catastrophic tsunami should not be a source of sleepless nights.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) outlines that the “mega-tsunami”theory initially relied on the assumption of a single, massive block collapse with rapid velocities. However, recent ocean floor mapping around the Canary Islands indicates collapses are more likely to occur gradually and incrementally. Additionally, slope stability analysis demonstrates that the potential volume of collapse is much smaller than the figures suggested in the earlier study.
Thanks to advancements in tsunami simulation techniques, newer models propose that a massive wave of 82 feet reaching the U.S. East Coast is improbable. Instead, the worst-case scenario would generate waves between three and seven feet, described by USGS as “still hazardous, but akin to a typical storm surge.”
If you’re intrigued and prepared for a thrilling watch, La Palma is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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