Seaboard Coast
Seaboard Coast
Can a Tsunami Strike the Atlantic Coast?
Can a tsunami strike the coast of New Jersey, North Carolina, or Florida? The question crossed my mind as I was doing research for my action/adventure novel TSUNAMI, even though the book is set in the Pacific.
The answer is yes, a tsunami hitting the Atlantic Coast is possible, but much less likely than one striking Alaska, Hawaii, or the Pacific Northwest. When it comes to the kinds of natural events that start tsunamis -- undersea earthquakes, submarine landslides, and volcano eruptions -- the Atlantic is a much tamer ocean than the Pacific. The Pacific basin is encircled by the notorious Ring of Fire with its hundreds of active volcanoes and dozens of dangerous, earthquake-prone subduction zones. The Atlantic has far fewer geological areas capable of posing a genuine tsunami threat. But there are some, and they should be taken seriously.
The one most talked about is the Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Canary Islands, 3000 miles from Boston and 3700 miles from Miami. In 1949, a flank of the volcano split off, creating a 3-ft. rift, the flank sliding down 3 feet toward the ocean before it stabilized. Earthquakes and a buildup of pressure inside the volcano were associated with the event. The concern is that another earthquake or eruption could dislodge the entire flank and send as much as 300 cubic miles of debris plunging into the ocean. One school of thought suggests that such a monster landslide would start a tsunami capable of reaching the eastern seaboard of the United States 5 or 6 hours later.
Even if such an event were to happen, many geologists dispute the notion that it would send a killer tsunami smashing into the East Coast of the U.S. The height of the initial wave would be enormous, but the length between waves would be relatively short, meaning its ability to maintain its energy while travelling long distances would be minimized. Undersea earthquake-generated tsunamis typically have long wavelengths, or distance between waves in the train, and can travel long distances without significant loss of energy. In contrast, landslide-initiated tsunamis tend to have short wavelengths and are usually confined to local areas where they can be highly destructive. In 1883, the Krakatau eruption dumped millions of tons of debris into the ocean and started a 135-ft. tsunami that did incredible damage to Sumatra and neighboring islands but did not affect other areas.
To sum it up, there are two points of view. One maintains the collapse of a chunk of Cumbre Vieja into the ocean could endanger the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. with a major tsunami, while the other view holds that the dynamics of wave formation make such a result unlikely.
The only true subduction zone close to the East Coast is the Puerto Rico Trench, which runs for 1000 miles from Puerto Rico eastward past the Lesser Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean. The deepest point in the Atlantic at 28,200 feet lies in The Puerto Rico Trench. Along this trench, the Caribbean tectonic plate is subducting, or sliding under, the North American Plate. This is not as large or active a subduction zone as most of those in the Pacific, but undersea earthquakes have occurred there, resulting in tsunamis that affected the islands in the Caribbean. The last tsunami in the area happened in 1918 when 32 people died in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Mt. Pelee on Martinique is one of several active volcanoes in the Lesser Antilles arc. The 1902 eruption of Mt. Pelee is one of the largest on record. It is possible that volcanic debris from future eruptions could crash into the ocean and start a localized tsunami.
Submarine landslides at the edge of the continental shelf along the Atlantic Seaboard might also start tsunamis that could impact coastal cities. In 1929, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake off Newfoundland started an undersea landslide down the continental shelf. The resulting tsunami swept ashore and killed 8 people.
The Atlantic Tsunami Warning System was installed in 2006, comprising five Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (acronym DART) buoy stations. Single stations are located off Charleston, Miami, and New Orleans. Two are positioned off Puerto Rico near the Puerto Rico Trench. All provide real time detection of undersea disturbances capable of starting tsunamis that could impact the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf Coasts. Plans call for the addition of at least two more DART stations.
If you live in a low-lying area on the Atlantic Coast, be aware that a tsunami is always a possibility, and be prepared to evacuate on a moment's notice as directed by local authorities.
About the Author
Gordon Gumpertz, author of TSUNAMI, is a working novelist who writes suspense-packed adventure novels featuring believable characters caught up in the dynamic forces of natural and man-made disasters. His books achieve a sense of immediacy and realism through extensive background research. For more, visit
Tsunami
.
 |
Con COR N Gauge Set of 3 Box Cars New Old Stock Santa Fe ACL and SCL |  |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 5h 57m |
 |
Vintage Bachman Seaboard Coast Line Spirit of 76 Diesel Locomotive | |
6 Bids | US $12.50 | 6h 59m |
 |
USA Trains Seaboard Coast Line Auto Carrier | |
0 Bid | US $74.95 | 9h 6m |
 |
N SCALE 3 BOX CARS LN AND SCL LN LK LK | |
0 Bid | US $9.00 | 12h 18m |
 |
NIB mint discontinued Micro Trains 13611 2 Seaboard Coast Line 50 box car | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 12h 44m |
 |
50 Standerd Boxcar w Plug Door Seaboard Coast Line N scale | |
0 Bid | US $12.49 | 13h 17m |
 |
MICRO TRAINS 24160 SEABOARD BOXCAR MINT | |
 |
US $14.95 | 13h 23m |
 |
MTL 032 00 120 SEABOARD COAST LINE 50 BOX CAR MINT Low Shipping | |
|
US $13.95 | 13h 26m |
 |
MTL 105040 SEABOARD COAST LINE Gondola MINT Low Shipping | |
|
US $15.95 | 13h 27m |
 |
Athearn Bev Bel Seaboard Coast Line CSX LN 50 boxcar HO Scale | |
1 Bid | US $10.95 | 13h 34m |
 |
Athearn Bev Bel Seaboard Coast Line LN CSX covered Hopper HO Scale | |
1 Bid | US $10.95 | 14h 30m |
 |
PMI Alco C420 Bicentennial paint HO gauge Mint | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 16h 19m |
 |
SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP GP9 GP 9 5662 ATHEARN GENESIS HO RTR BLACK WIDOW | |
|
US $151.99 | 16h 26m |
 |
SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP GP9 GP 9 5634 ATHEARN GENESIS HO RTR BLACK WIDOW | |
|
US $151.99 | 16h 29m |
 |
ATHEARN GENESIS SEABOARD SD 45 2 2052 | |
|
US $100.00 | 16h 34m |
 |
American Flyer 6 48306 Seaboard Coast Line SCL Box Car in original box | |
5 Bids | US $18.59 | 17h 20m |
 |
Athearn Seaboard Coast Line 50 D D Box Car Wgt 677059 | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 17h 33m |
 |
ATHEARN SEABOARD COAST LINE U 33 B POWERED LOCOMOTIVE 1776 RUNS GOOD | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 17h 47m |
 |
N scale Con Cor Seaboard Air Coast Line SAL SCL flat car trailer train TOFC | |
3 Bids | US $1.81 | 20h 3m |
 |
N scale Atlas Seaboard Coast Line SCL caboose train car Kadee trucks | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 20h 52m |
 |
Athearn GE U33B Seaboard Coast Line Bicentennial | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 1d 4h 6m |
 |
E B VALLEY HO SCALE UNDECORATED COVERED HOPPER CAR KIT ITEM 104 1265 NIB | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 1d 9h 51m |
 |
Athearn Seaboard Coast Line 50 Double Door Boxcar Weathered Knuckle Couplers HO | |
1 Bid | US $5.75 | 1d 16h 59m |
 |
Lot of trains 3 seaboard coast linemobilgasand union pacific very old | |
2 Bids | US $10.00 | 1d 18h 36m |
 |
ATHEARN SEABOARD COAST LINE 4 BAY HOPPER CAR 1760 | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 3h 57m |
 |
SEABOARD COAST LINE SCL 3 BAY OPEN COAL HOPPER CAR HO SCALE DECALS H 380 | |
0 Bid | US $4.50 | 2d 6h 20m |
 |
HO Atlas Trains | |
|
US $39.95 | 15h 35m |
 |
HO diesel locomotive | |
0 Bid | US $1.97 | 2d 10h 2m |
 |
Exactrail SCL Seaboard Coast Line HO Gunderson 2420 Gondola | |
1 Bid | US $10.00 | 2d 10h 12m |
 |
HO SCALE ACCURAL 40 SEABOARD COAST LINE PS 1 STEEL BOX CAR KIT | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 10h 43m |
 |
EXACTRAIL SEABOARD COAST LINE AUTO RACK HO SCALE RTR 801916 | |
3 Bids | US $8.50 | 2d 13h 30m |
 |
LIONEL TRAINS SEABOARD LANTIC SUGAR COVERED HOPPER CAR 9371 | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 2d 13h 33m |
 |
Ho Atlas TM Seaboard Coast Line AAR 70 Ton 9 Panel Hopper | |
0 Bid | US $8.98 | 2d 14h 5m |
 |
ATHEARN 50 FT SEABOARD COAST LINE 4DR AUTO BOX CAR | |
0 Bid | US $9.00 | 2d 16h 16m |
 |
Lionel Limited Edition Series Seaboard Coast Line Covered Hopper 6 9371 Box | |
0 Bid | US $16.21 | 2d 16h 30m |
 |
40 3 BAY HOPPER W LOADSEABOARD COAST LINE BY ATHEARN READY TO ROLL NIB | 0 Bid | US $11.29 | 2d 18h 7m |
 |
Athearn Globe Bowser HO 40 Boxcars 4 | |
0 Bid | US $23.99 | 12h 2m |
 |
Life Like N Scale LOT Locomotives Florida East Coast Seaboard System Freignt Car | |
0 Bid | US $34.99 | 2d 18h 23m |
 |
HO Seaboard Coast Line 1776 Diesel Engine | |
2 Bids | US $3.25 | 2d 18h 27m |
 |
ROUNDHOUSE WEATHERED SCL 50 SD BOX INTERMOUNTAIN MWS WHISKER KDs New | |
0 Bid | US $16.95 | 2d 19h 56m |
 |
Walthers Seaboard Coast Line SCL Budd 46 Seat Coach | |
|
US $44.99 | 2d 21h 6m |
 |
Walthers Seaboard Coast Line SCL Budd 52 Seat Coach | |
|
US $44.99 | 2d 21h 13m |
 |
ATLAS 8537 HO U36 C SCL 2125 Seaboard Coast Line Loco | |
|
US $89.99 | 1d 5h |
 |
Walthers Seaboard Coast Line SCL Pullman 10 6 Sleeper | |
|
US $44.99 | 2d 22h 20m |
 |
Train Miniature Parts HO Champ Decals MLR Manual RT 5007 Radius Tool 10 MT | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 19h 18m |
 |
LIONEL 6 9403 Seaboard Coast Line SCL Boxcar O Gauge C 8 OB NEAR MINT | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 20h 23m |
 |
ROUNDHOUSE HO 50 COMBO DOOR BOXCAR SCL 40185 | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 3d 4h 37m |
 |
HO Locomotives | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 1d 14h 8m |
 |
Athearn R T R Family Lines Seaboard Cost Line Wide Vision Caboose RD05749 | |
1 Bid | US $12.99 | 3d 7h 2m |
 |
Athearn ATHG62431 HO Scale GP7 Santa Fe Zebra 2855 Locomotive | |
|
US $129.95 | 29d 15h 17m |
 |
Athearn HO Scale 40 Box Cars Five | |
|
US $30.00 | 3d 10h 36m |
 |
U36B spirit of 76 Dummy Locomotive Seaboard Coast line NIB Bachman 0640 | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 3d 16h 36m |
 |
Athearn used 50 double door box car Seaboard Coast Line SCL HO Kadee | |
0 Bid | US $6.50 | 3d 17h 30m |
 |
HO SCALE BRASS LMB KTM SEABOARD COAST LINE STEEL CABOOSE 0983 | |
1 Bid | US $49.95 | 3d 18h 12m |
 |
ATHEARN SEABOARD COAST LINE 50 FMC Exterior Post Combination Door Box Car 92873 | |
0 Bid | US $16.00 | 3d 19h 23m |
 |
Athearn ho | |
|
US $5.39 | 4d 8h 39m |
 |
lionel6 9403 Seaboard Coast lines boxcar w ob | |
|
US $30.00 | 4d 9h 10m |
 |
Lionel 6 30131 Chessie System Merger Special | |
0 Bid | US $260.00 | 2d 18h 33m |
 |
Lionel Seaboard gondola 9370 CN hopper 6103 limited edition series | |
0 Bid | US $75.00 | 4d 14h 16m |
 |
Athearn Seaboard Coast Line 4 Bay Open Hopper | |
0 Bid | US $5.25 | 4d 16h 35m |
 |
HO BRASS ALCO MODELS FAMILY LINES SYSTEM SCL MP 15AC DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE 4200 | |
0 Bid | US $179.95 | 3d 18h 20m |
 |
IHC 54 Covered Hopper 3 Bay SCL SEABOARD COAST LINE | |
|
US $10.99 | 1d 14h 41m |
 |
SEABOARD COAST LINE SCL BLACK HOOD DIESEL HO SCALE DECALS EH 201 | |
0 Bid | US $5.50 | 5d 14h 34m |
 |
N SCALE 65380 04 SCL SEABOARD COAST LINE INTERMOUNTAIN HOPPER MICRO TRAINS MTL | |
3 Bids | US $7.00 | 5d 18h 47m |
 |
Athearn HO GP9 w DCC Sound UP 166 ATHG62624 | |
|
US $220.54 | 27d 8h 21m |
 |
Atlas Seaboard Coast Line FP 7 | |
0 Bid | US $24.95 | 4d 18h 20m |
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Tags: csx, east, eastern, effects, seaboard coast line, seaboard coast line historical society, seaboard coast line map, seaboard coast line modeler, seaboard coast line roster, Trains