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EU must study Tsunami danger

12 January 2005

EU must study Tsunami danger

SP Euro-MP Erik Meijer has asked the European Commission to launch a study into the dangers posed by a possible Tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean: “A volcanic eruption on the Canary Island La Palma could provoke a mega-tsunami even more disastrous than that which struck Asia. Life in large parts of America and Europe could be swept away by such a cataclysmic event.” The Netherlands, much of which is only just above, or even actually below, sea level, would be particularly at risk, and Mr Meijer would like to know what plans, if any, the Commission has to deal with this eventuality.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma could, in the event of a new eruption, lead to a mega-tsunami which would flood the eastern coastal districts of the United States, causing devastation far inland. In addition, the west coast of the European continent and the British Isles would be particularly vulnerable. Major erosion in Iceland or tremors in the Mediterranean could also be disastrous for low-lying regions of Europe such as the Po Valley plane in Italy, south-west Sweden and Denmark, the French Landes, Belgium and the Netherlands, all of which regions and countries would suffer devastating consequences from a tsunami”

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