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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Mega-tsunami warning: These 3 US states could face direct impact in next 50 years
Scientists have warned that a potentially catastrophic mega-tsunami, triggered by a major earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), could hit parts of the US Pacific Coast. Researchers from Virginia Tech have said that the Cascadia Subduction Zone is one of North America's most hazardous fault lines. The recent warning takes us back to a May 2025 report that claimed that three US states could face direct impact of mega-tsunamis in the next 50 years. Mega-tsunami warning: These 3 US states could face direct impact in next 50 years (Unsplash - representational image) A groundbreaking study from Virginia Tech, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, previously warned that three states – Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington – are at significant risk of experiencing catastrophic mega-tsunamis in the next 50 years. These colossal waves can reach up to 1,000 feet, and could be triggered by massive earthquakes and geological events. Alaska is under increased threat as it faces dual threats from both seismic activity and climate change-induced landslides. The Aleutian Islands, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, are prone to very powerful earthquakes. A study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has estimated that there is a 9% chance of a magnitude 9.0 or greater earthquake in the Aleutians within the next 50 years – an event that could potentially generate a mega-tsunami with waves reaching up to 75 feet. Hawaii is also under increased risk as the Big Island's active volcanoes, such as Kīlauea, are susceptible to flank collapses. These are massive landslides in which huge sections of the volcano's flank slide into the ocean, displacing massive amounts of water and generating tsunamis that can affect coastal areas of Hawaii. Read More | Japanese man flees home with pets mid-breakfast after tsunami alert. Watch The Cascadia Subduction Zone, stretching from Northern California to Vancouver Island, is a major fault line where the Juan de Fuca Plate is gradually sinking beneath the North American Plate. If a major earthquake hits this region, it could cause coastal land to sink by up to 6.5 feet, expanding floodplains and increasing flood risks. The tsunami resulting from this could send waves up to 40 feet high, affecting communities along the Pacific Northwest coast, including northern California, northern Oregon, and southern Washington. What is a mega-tsunami? According to a mega-tsunami is an extremely destructive and rare phenomenon that may strike the world every few thousand years. 'Huge earthquake-induced rockslides next to bodies of water can generate mega-tsunamis since the massive amount of water displacement increases the wave size more than a submarine earthquake,' the website says. 'Luckily, huge landslides and the mega-tsunamis that they can generate are extremely rare. In most cases, tsunamis caused by rockslides, unlike the ocean-wide tsunamis caused by some underwater earthquakes, dissipate quickly and rarely affect coastlines distant from the source due to the small area of sea affected. However, a massive landslide can give rise to much larger local shock waves (solitons = solitary waves that can travel for long distances without changing their shape or losing energy).' Read More | From Lituya Bay to Icy Bay, some of the worst tsunamis in US history The website explained that in some cases, they can end up generating a mega-tsunami that can reach the height of hundreds of meters. 'That is the case when a massive landslide occurs in a limited body of water and the resulting wave is unable to disperse, just as it happened in Alaska where a major rock fall generated the Lituya Bay tsunami. It was the largest tsunami wave ever observed anywhere in the world and it was caused by a rock fall in Lituya Bay, Alaska on July 9, 1958,' it added.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers turn to 'living libraries' in effort to solve growing threat to food supply: 'Pressures on food crops touch every country on our planet'
Imagine if the key to protecting our favorite foods from a changing climate was hidden away in a vault in the Arctic, and we just figured out how to unlock it. That's the real-world promise of a new gene selection technique that could revolutionize the way we grow food. Scientists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and their global partners have developed a faster, more affordable method for identifying genes that help crops survive extreme weather. A recent study published in Nature Climate Change and reported by reveals that these researchers are looking toward seed banks, sometimes called "living libraries," for solutions. These collections store thousands of plant varieties with unique genetic traits that could make crops stronger and more resilient. "Climate-driven pressures on food crops touch every country on our planet, and this technique holds promise for making more use of our global genebanks," said study co-author Michael Kantar of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, per That means future versions of your favorite foods like coffee, rice, or chocolate might be better equipped to thrive despite rising temperatures. This new method, called environmental genomic selection, combines DNA data with climate models to predict how different plants will perform under future conditions. Instead of growing and testing thousands of plants, researchers can now use a smaller, diverse group to find the best candidates for breeding. By helping farmers grow crops that need less water, resist pests naturally, and thrive without harmful chemicals, this breakthrough could reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and support healthier communities. It also means we may have new ways to protect everyday staples we often take for granted, from the rice in your pantry to the chocolate in your snack drawer. The researchers tested the method on sorghum, a drought-tolerant grain, and found that it works on dozens of other crops as well, including barley, cannabis, and peppers. Their findings also show that countries heavily reliant on one crop may need genetic resources from other regions to stay resilient. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With Crop Trust reporting more than seven million samples stored in global genebanks, this tool could help scientists turn these collections into real-world solutions, faster and more affordably than ever before. For everyday people and farmers alike, that means more reliable harvests, more nutritious meals, and a stronger food system no matter what the forecast brings. More food innovations, such as vertical farms and drought-resistant crops, are making it easier for people to eat well while reducing pollution. To help build a more sustainable food system, people can turn to plant-based food alternatives or even grow their own food, as well as compost food scraps. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Watch: Humpback whales migrate to Hawaiʻi in new UH film
HONOLULU (KHON2) — In celebration of World Ocean Day, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Dolphin Quest have released a 12-minute film showcasing the migration of humpback whales as they journey from Alaska to Hawaiʻi. Matt Elliott named next UH Mānoa athletics director, pending regents' approval The video offers insights into one of nature's most interesting journeys, when thousands of whales travel nearly 3,000 miles to Hawaiʻi each year to give birth. 'Understanding the biology and behavior of humpback whales is essential, especially now as changing ocean conditions threatens their habitats and migratory patterns,' said MMRP Director Lars Bejder. 'This video helps explain how their endurance and sacrifices are truly extraordinary.' The video features researchers documenting whale behaviors, collecting data and photographing the rare traits of individual whales. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'Dolphin Quest is honored to support this research and help share it with the public,' said Dolphin Quest Co-Founder Rae Stone. 'This project combines the best of science, education and conservation—and makes it accessible for everyone.' The film is available to watch online for free on the Dolphin Quest's YouTube channel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UH: Urgent response required to save world's coral reefs
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A study by researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology found that coral reefs are less frequent in the tropics due to warming oceans. The research found that the reefs are unable to beat the heat and effects of climate change, which rings the emergency alarm for conservationists. 8 takeaways from Hawaiʻi's top ranking for school lunches However, there is still hope, as the research showed that immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can improve the future of these iconic ocean scenes across the planet. 'As the ocean warms, species tend to move poleward,' said lead author Noam Vogt-Vincent, lead author of the study. 'We know from the fossil record that coral reefs have previously expanded their ranges in response to past climate change, but we didn't know whether this was a matter of decades or millennia.' In order to predict changes in the distribution of these reefs, the research team used complex simulation models running on UH's high-performance computing cluster. The team created a global model including approximately 50,000 coral reef sites to the model, the researches tested three future emissions scenarios: one with low warming, around two degrees Celsius, a moderate warming scenario, around three degrees Celsius and a high warming model, which is greater than four degrees Celsius. 'By modeling coral reefs globally and incorporating evolution and connectivity, this study provides an unprecedented long-term view of how these complex ecosystems will respond to climate change,' said research professor Lisa McManus. Provided the current condition of the climate on coral reefs, the researchers found both good news and bad news. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'Unfortunately, while we've confirmed that coral reef range expansion will indeed eventually occur, the biggest coral losses are expected in the next 60 years, meaning these new, higher-latitude reefs won't form fast enough to save most tropical coral species,' Vogt-Vincent said. While northern Florida, southern Australia and southern Japan may see new reefs in the future, they will not be in existence soon enough to help corals survive through the century, UH said. While the future seems bleak, there is still hope, with significant cuts in emissions, such as those outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement, could dramatically reduce the loss of coral. Aliʻi Drive to revert to a two-way street Currently, coral reduction is on track to lose up to 86% of coral reefs; but with lower emissions, losses could be reduced to only around 33% of coral reefs. 'Our study suggests that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will not just improve coral reef futures this century, but for hundreds to thousands of years into the future,' Vogt-Vincent said. 'Our actions over the next few decades will therefore have incredibly long-lasting consequences for coral reefs globally.' Researchers will continue to monitor reef levels with their supercomputer power to try to better understand both threats and solutions surrounding the world's coral reefs. For more information, visit the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Megatsunami warning: Three US States could face direct impact within 50 years
A groundbreaking study from Virginia Tech, published in the , has issued an urgent warning: within the next 50 years, three U.S. states—Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington—are at significant risk of experiencing catastrophic megatsunamis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These colossal waves, potentially reaching up to 1,000 feet, could result from massive earthquakes and geological events, threatening millions of lives and causing unprecedented damage. What is a megatsunami ? A megatsunami is a very large wave created by a large, sudden displacement of material into a body of water. Unlike an ordinary tsunami, a megatsunami is characterized by extremely large wave heights, often hundreds of meters, and is typically caused by massive underwater displacements like large landslides or volcanic eruptions. Megatsunamis can reach wave heights of hundreds of meters and are often triggered by massive underwater events like large landslides, glacier collapses, or meteorite impacts. Megatsunamis can inundate coastal areas much further inland and with greater force than regular tsunamis. In October 1936, a megatsunami occurred in Lituya Bay in Alaska with a maximum run-up height of 150 metres (490 ft) in Crillon Inlet at the head of the bay. The four eyewitnesses to the wave in Lituya Bay itself all survived and described it as between 30 and 76 metres (100 and 250 ft) high. Cascadia Subduction Zone : A ticking time bomb Stretching from Northern California to Vancouver Island, the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a major fault line where the Juan de Fuca Plate is slowly sinking beneath the North American Plate. This tectonic boundary has the potential to produce a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake, with scientists estimating a 15% chance of such an event occurring within the next 50 years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The last significant rupture along this fault occurred in 1700, but the risk remains high. A major earthquake in this region could cause coastal land to sink by up to 6.5 feet, dramatically expanding floodplains and increasing flood risks. The resulting tsunami could send waves up to 40 feet high, devastating communities along the Pacific Northwest coast, including northern California, northern Oregon, and southern Washington. Experts warn that public awareness remains low, and evacuation times could be as short as 10 minutes, leaving little room for escape. Alaska: A double threat from earthquakes and landslides Alaska faces a dual threat from both seismic activity and climate change-induced landslides. The Aleutian Islands, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, are prone to powerful earthquakes. A study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa estimates a 9% chance of a magnitude 9.0 or greater earthquake in the Aleutians within the next 50 years. Such an event could generate a mega-tsunami with waves reaching up to 75 feet, impacting coastal communities along the Alaska Peninsula and potentially affecting areas as far away as Hawaii. Additionally, melting glaciers in Alaska are destabilizing slopes, increasing the risk of massive landslides into the ocean. These landslides can displace large volumes of water, generating tsunamis that could inundate nearby coastal areas. The combination of seismic and climatic factors makes Alaska particularly vulnerable to devastating tsunami events. Hawaii: Volcanic collapses pose tsunami risk Hawaii's unique geological features also place it at risk. The Big Island's active volcanoes, such as Kīlauea, are susceptible to flank collapses—massive landslides where large sections of the volcano's flank slide into the ocean. These collapses can displace enormous amounts of water, generating tsunamis that can affect coastal areas of Hawaii. While the probability of such events is lower compared to other regions, the potential impact on Hawaii's densely populated coastal areas makes it a significant concern. Urgent call for preparedness: The study underscores the need for immediate action to prepare for potential mega-tsunamis. Experts advocate for enhanced , improved infrastructure, and public education campaigns to ensure communities are ready to respond effectively. In the Pacific Northwest, for instance, FEMA estimates that a magnitude 9 earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone could result in over 13,000 fatalities and displace more than a million people. Coastal regions must invest in resilient infrastructure, including elevated buildings and tsunami-resistant designs, to withstand the impacts of such disasters. Additionally, updating evacuation plans and conducting regular drills can save lives by ensuring that residents know how to respond quickly and safely. Global implications and climate change considerations: While the immediate focus is on the United States, the global implications of mega-tsunamis are profound. Rising sea levels due to climate change exacerbate the risks associated with these events, as higher ocean levels can increase the extent of flooding and damage. International collaboration in monitoring seismic activity and sharing early warning information is crucial to mitigate the effects of such disasters worldwide. Conclusion: The recent study serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by coastal regions in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. With the potential for mega-tsunamis within the next 50 years, these communities must take proactive measures to prepare for such catastrophic events. Through enhanced preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and public awareness, the impact of these disasters can be mitigated, saving lives and protecting livelihoods. As scientists continue to monitor seismic activity and climate change effects, the need for comprehensive disaster planning and international cooperation becomes ever more critical. By learning from past events and investing in future resilience, we can better safeguard our coastal communities against the looming threat of mega-tsunamis. Covid-19 crisis: Goans on a mission to grow more greens, after lockdown blues
