Britain faces a serious risk from tsunamis, the giant ocean waves that can inundate coastal towns and infrastructure, scientists have told the government. They have found that the British Isles have been hit by more tsunamis than realised — including at least one more than 60ft high. Such waves, they suggest, pose a serious threat to coastal installations such as nuclear power stations, ports and oil terminals, as well as towns. “We believe the government should consider adding tsunamis to the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies,” said Professor Peter Talling, a Durham University marine geologist, who led the research. The register, held by the Cabinet Office, sets out government plans for rare but devastating disasters such as volcanic eruptions in Iceland, flu epidemics and
The UK's coastal areas and infrastructure are under increasing risk from tsunamis, with a new study showing that Britain has been hit by huge waves at a significantly higher and more intense frequency than previously thought. The waves could devastate coastal installations including ports and power stations, it warns. Although the UK has never been considered to be at serious threat from a tidal wave, which is normally caused by earthquakes, new evidence reveals that underwater landslides are causing billions of tonnes of mud to shift from the sea bed, which is producing waves beneath the surface.