I meter Tsunami heading for Kiribati

Peter F Kearney · February 05, 2013, 08:23:12 PM

What are the chances that this tsunami could throw debris from the electra up on to the beach. Could the tsunami overflow the island?

Tim Mellon · February 05, 2013, 08:28:19 PM

Chances? Zero, nada, zilch. Electra is (IMHO) 985 feet below sea level. Of course, maybe Ric could tell us if there might be some parts closer to the surface.

Greg Daspit · February 05, 2013, 08:59:51 PM

Artifacts were already found after big waves. If not washed up items, then maybe uncovered items could be found. Seems like a good time to look. There have been many stories where old shipwrecks and even an ancient city that have been uncovered after wave erosion.

The downside is waves may have already washed away Camp Zero artifacts at on the west side.

Peter F Kearney · February 05, 2013, 09:03:50 PM

With all respect Tim, I live in Japan, I know something about Tsunamis, I lived through one. The energy of tsunami wave extends from the sea floor to the surface. 900 odd feet is nothing to a tsunami and this island is a sea mound with sloping sides. I would not be too quick to say Nada. If it does hit the island, there is a very good chance of debris being flung to the shore. Certainly a good chance that there will be a lot of coral movement and things that were once hidden could be exposed...or they could also be buried. :)

Tim Mellon · February 06, 2013, 03:06:18 AM

Quote from: Peter F Kearney on February 05, 2013, 09:03:50 PM
Certainly a good chance that there will be a lot of coral movement and things that were once hidden could be exposed...or they could also be buried.

.

I agree with this possibility. There is change evident to me even between 2010 and 2012 at depth.
:)

Dan Swift · February 06, 2013, 08:19:02 AM

A past Tsunami(s) may be one of the things that may have destroyed and/or hidden parts of the Electra and other artifacts. One immediate concern of mine is the (appears to me to be) landing gear hanging on the slope in the 2012 debris field. Fear of that sliding into the abyss.....and lost....not good.

Ric Gillespie · February 06, 2013, 08:29:00 AM

A tsunami generated by the earthquake off the Solomons, if it struck Niku (and at this time there is no indication that it did), should hit more or less as shown in the attached image.

Dan Swift · February 06, 2013, 08:47:58 AM

Ric, I would think anything from that direction would not be good for the west slope and what it may 'hold'.

Greg Daspit · February 06, 2013, 10:18:26 AM

Maybe an updated satellite image can be obtained to see if there are any visible changes to the island. Maybe from the company that provided the image of the KOK during Niku VII

The 2012 Debris Field may have coral growth that could keep artifacts from falling farther down. For example the possible "tire" identified in the first image released of the 2012 Debris Field and mentioned in the documentary seems to me to have a line or something growing out of an axle that could hold it there. That the Debris Field is near a cliff is a concern for artifacts getting buried, either from earthquakes or waves, or anything bumping into the cliff

Ric Gillespie · February 06, 2013, 11:06:44 AM

Nikumaroro is 2,000 miles from where the 'quake struck. A tsunami that hit Niku would also have to first hit Nauru, Tuvalu and Fiji. If we don't hear reports of significant damage to those places I don't think we need to worry about Niku. In any event, we'll get an updated satellite image before we go back.