The Big One...Coming to New York? Not Likely, But Let's Dive In Anyway
Ever watch a disaster movie where a giant wave rolls in and swallows a whole city? Yeah, those are terrifying. And if you live in a coastal metropolis like New York City, you might have wondered, with a sinking feeling in your stomach (pun intended), "Could that ever happen here?"
Well, buckle up, because we're about to explore the wonderfully weird world of tsunamis and see if the Big Apple should be more worried about giant pickles falling from the sky (hey, anything's possible, right?).
Tsunami Territory: Not Exactly NYC's Middle Name
Let's get this straight: The chances of a monstrous wave washing away the Statue of Liberty are about as likely as you running into a real-life talking pigeon trying to sell you a slice of pizza (although, that would be an awesome slice).
Tsunamis are most commonly caused by underwater earthquakes, and the good news for NYC is that the East Coast just isn't earthquake central. The Atlantic Ocean floor is geologically chill, unlike the Pacific Rim, which sees a lot more tectonic plate activity (think of it as Earth's grumpy roommates constantly bumping into each other).
Bonus trivia: There's some evidence that a prehistoric tsunami might have hit the New York area thousands of years ago, but that wave probably wouldn't have messed with a good bagel.
So, What About That Volcano on That Tiny Island Over There?
Ah, yes, the Canary Islands. You might have heard whispers about a volcano there called Cumbre Vieja and its potential to cause a mega-tsunami that would engulf the entire Eastern seaboard. Relax, drama queens and kings. Scientists have poured cold lava (pun again, sorry) on that theory. Even a massive collapse wouldn't create a wave big enough to turn Central Park into an ocean liner pool.
But Wait, There's More! (Or Maybe Not)
While a full-on NYC wipeout by tsunami is highly unlikely, there is a small chance of smaller waves caused by distant underwater earthquakes. But these would likely be more like an overly enthusiastic high tide than a raging sea monster.
The bottom line: Tsunamis aren't a major concern for New York City. Spend less time worrying about giant waves and more time wondering where to get the best slice (because, let's face it, that's the real struggle in NYC).