Imagine a wall of water over 1,000 feet high racing toward shore. This isn\u2019t science fiction\u2014it\u2019s a potential reality. Scientists warn that parts of the U.S. could one day face mega-tsunamis, rare disasters caused not just by earthquakes, but by massive landslides or volcanic collapses.<\/p>\n
What Is a Mega-Tsunami?
\nUnlike typical tsunamis caused by underwater quakes, mega-tsunamis result from enormous chunks of earth\u2014like collapsing volcanoes or glaciers\u2014crashing into the ocean. The resulting waves can tower thousands of feet and travel at jet-like speeds, devastating coastal areas.<\/p>\n
High-Risk Regions: Alaska, Hawaii, and the West CoastAlaska:
\nIn 1958, an earthquake-triggered landslide in Lituya Bay created a wave over 1,700 feet high\u2014the tallest ever recorded. As glaciers melt and permafrost thaws, similar disasters could recur.
\nHawaii:
\nVolcanic slopes, like those on Mauna Loa and Kilauea, are unstable. Past undersea landslides suggest ancient mega-tsunamis once hit the islands. A sudden collapse could again send massive waves across the Pacific.
\nWest Coast (Cascadia Subduction Zone):
\nStretching from Northern California to British Columbia, this fault is overdue for a major quake. A magnitude 9.0 event could trigger a 50\u2013100 foot tsunami with little warning.
\nAre We Ready?
\nWhile hard to predict or defend against, officials are preparing through:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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