Can tsunamis happen in Atlantic Ocean?

Atlantic Tsunamis: Could It Happen Here? What You Need to Know

Okay, so when you picture a tsunami, chances are you’re thinking of the Pacific. The “Ring of Fire,” right? Earthquakes galore, and those terrifying waves crashing onto shore. But what about the Atlantic? Can tsunamis actually happen here? The short answer? Yes, absolutely. It’s maybe not as common as in the Pacific, but pretending the risk isn’t there would be a huge mistake.

So, why aren’t Atlantic tsunamis as frequent? Well, it boils down to tectonic plates. The Pacific is basically surrounded by subduction zones – places where one plate dives under another. This creates a ton of earthquake activity, which, in turn, can trigger tsunamis. The Atlantic, on the other hand, is a bit calmer, geologically speaking. We’ve got fewer of those major subduction zones. The Caribbean has some, and there’s the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but the U.S. East Coast? It’s what they call a “passive margin,” meaning the plates aren’t exactly crashing into each other.

But “less frequent” doesn’t mean “impossible.” History’s given us some pretty stark reminders of that. Take the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and tsunami. I mean, wow. Talk about a disaster. A massive quake struck off the coast of Portugal, and the resulting tsunami practically wiped Lisbon off the map. We’re talking waves up to 40 feet high slamming into Portugal and Spain, and the effects were felt all the way across the Atlantic in the Caribbean. Estimates say it killed tens of thousands. It’s hard to even imagine that kind of devastation.

Then there’s the 1929 Grand Banks tsunami. A “smaller” earthquake (magnitude 7.2) south of Newfoundland caused a huge underwater landslide, which then generated a tsunami. It wasn’t just a local thing either; waves were recorded all along the eastern seaboard, even down in Martinique. In Newfoundland, it was a tragedy, with homes destroyed and lives lost.

And don’t forget the 1918 Puerto Rico tsunami, triggered by a pretty strong earthquake. Waves crashed into the western and northern coasts, causing serious damage. Or the 1867 U.S. Virgin Islands tsunami, which was caused by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

The thing is, tsunamis aren’t just about earthquakes. Underwater landslides can do the trick, as we saw with the Grand Banks event. Volcanic eruptions are another potential trigger. There’s that volcano in the Canary Islands, Cumbre Vieja. Some scientists worry that a big landslide there could send a massive tsunami racing across the Atlantic. And, although it’s super rare, a meteor impact could also cause a tsunami.

Here’s the kicker: the Atlantic coast is seriously vulnerable. We’ve got major cities, industrial hubs, all sitting right there on the shoreline. Even a moderate tsunami could cause catastrophic damage.

So, are we ready? Honestly, that’s a tough question. We’ve got tsunami warning systems, which is great. We’re monitoring seismic activity and underwater stuff. But are we doing enough? Are people really aware of the risks? Coastal communities need to be thinking about tsunamis when they’re planning new construction. And everyone needs to know what to do if a warning is issued.

Look, the Atlantic might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think “tsunami,” but the risk is real. History has proven that. We need to take this seriously, improve our preparedness, and make sure everyone knows what to do. It’s about protecting lives and livelihoods. The Atlantic might be quieter than the Pacific, but we can’t afford to be complacent.