Tsunami risk in northwestern Europe: a Holocene example |
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| Authors: | D Long AG Dawson DE Smith |
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| Institution: | Marine Geology Research Programme, British Geological Survey, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA;Department of Geography, Coventry Polytechnic, Priory Street, Coventry CVZ 5FB |
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| Abstract: | A thin, regionally extensive, laterally persistent sand layer is present within the Holocene coastal sequences of eastern Scotland, dated to 7000 yr BP. It is proposed that this deposit was caused by a tsunami wave generated by a catastrophic submarine landslide (the Second Storegga Slide) on the Norwegian continental slope. The distribution of this tsunami deposit indicates that the wave penetrated at least 2 km beyond the contemporary coastline and a minimum of 4 m above the contemporary high-water mark. Although the frequency of tsunamis may be low in this region their effects should be considered for very long-term or very sensitive strategic developments at coastal sites. |
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