Waves of relief after study’s reassurance over tsunami threat

15 November 2006

Sea defences designed to withstand storm surges likely to occur once every 100 years would generally be able to cope with any tsunamis likely to affect the UK.
Only the most southwesterly coast would be affected by sea level elevations in excess of the 1-in-100 extreme sea level predictions, concluded a study for the Government into the potential detailed impact on UK coastal areas at risk of a tsunami.
An earthquake offshore of Lisbon, on a scale of the one which devastated that city in 1755 – 8.7Mw magnitude – would create waves up to four metres high off Cornwall. But they would take more than four hours to reach the UK, ‘allowing the public to be notified, providing a suitable mechanism was in place’.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, spokesperson said: ‘Having identified the risks, further work is under way on improving access to European near-real time tide gauge data for tsunami warning, a necessary precursor to setting up a warning system.’
But it stressed that, because of the infrequency of tsunamis, warning systems would only be sustainable if also used for other purposes.

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Waves of relief after study’s reassurance over tsunami threat

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login