To feel anxious about this volcanic activity in the Canaries, or am I just a nervous wreck

[Kara198]

I watched a documentary a few years ago regarding what could happen if a volcano in the canaries erupted and it was pretty horrific (tsunami hitting America and some of Europe including UK.
I've never been a nervous person and always lived by 'whatever will be, will be'.
However since Covid I feel like it's taught me that actually nothing is forever and I get anxious over things like this, especially as my dad lives on the south coast.
AIBU to feel slightly uneasy about this situation? Happy to be told I'm being ridiculous

You’re more likely to die in a car crash, so yes, YABU

The UK is in the centre of the Eurasian tectonic plate, so is unlikely to be affected by any tsunami (normally these hit at the edges of tectonic plates) caused by the expected eruption. However, the level of warning given to the residents of Las Palmas is currently at the lower of three warning levels (yellow) so keep an eye on that for indicators of potential events.

It's been debunked by several different sources.

Now get back to worrying about your gas and electric bill like the rest of us

I hope you are being ridiculous as I am right on the South Coast. How far would the tsunami go inland? I'm trying to go on as normal, that's all anyone can do.

@FreddyMercurysCat

It's been debunked by several different sources.

Now get back to worrying about your gas and electric bill like the rest of us

Funny you should say that, I was with People's Energy who just went bust last week! And I have £250 worth of credit sat in my account 😑

@GerardWay123

I hope you are being ridiculous as I am right on the South Coast. How far would the tsunami go inland? I'm trying to go on as normal, that's all anyone can do.

I read A LOT last night and the worst case scenario is 16 miles inland, however apparently they would need a perfect storm of events for that to happen which is unlikely. I think I've just wound myself up too much. There's a real mix of scientists saying it is a real threat which could happen and others saying it definately won't.

Our DS and his GF are currently in the Canaries. When they went to Los Angeles a few years ago there was an earthquake nearby.
We don’t go on holiday with them anymore 😀

And I have £250 worth of credit sat in my account Well don't worry because that gets transferred to your new supplier.

As for the tsunami, don't worry too much. If one happens it will be more like the Japan or Boxing Day tsunamis more than the "Deep Impact" one. OK not great but it will affect Africa and Spain long before it gets to the UK so people on the south coast will have time to get inside.

Covid has increased everyone's anxiety, understandably.

Let’s hope for no tsunamis and the best outcome for the people living in the path of the volcano

@HarrietsChariot have you seen footage of either of those tsunamis? Getting inside wouldn't really be much protection against the water. Unreliable at best. Getting up onto a big hill would be the only realistic way to be safe.

I feel slightly uneasy im going there january

YABU, but I really empathise with how Covid’s made you feel - it’s had the same effect on me.

I saw that documentary too, OP, very scary.

TBH I think I’d avoid that area for now.

A couple of years after the tsunami we visited an earthquake-prone area where a dd was working. On our last night in the hotel (on the 5th floor) there was an earthquake that was ‘only’ a 6.1, but it was seriously scary - it woke us up, felt as if a giant was shaking the bed, hangers rattling in the wardrobe.

Staff next morning were quite unconcerned, they get them so often there. Luckily our hotel was modern and (supposedly) earthquake proof.

Not an experience I’d care to repeat!

You can claim your credit back from your supplier even though they are bust, I did that when I was with Spark Energy when they went bust a few years ago.

And yes there is no reason to worry about this. These things are closely monitored by scientists so we’d have plenty of warning and it would be unlikely to really affect the U.K. anyway beyond any ash clouds like the Icelandic one.

YABU

Lots of scary planet ending things could happen, but you're more likely to be killed by something else.

There are many things which would reduce the impact of such an event on Britain, the Continental Shelf for instance.

The world is full of things to worry about, the Yellowstone Caldera, the reversal of magnetic North, the failure the Gulf Stream....

Just keep doing the

OP - if you're actually worried, pack a "Go Bag" for each family member. A backpack with a torch (wind up if you can get one), fully charged portable phone charger & connector, emergency blanket with hood (generally waterproof, lighter than a raincoat although if you think you'll be organised enough to get those, do that instead), some long life snacks such as dried fruit, cereal bars, a couple of bottles of water. A pack of any medication you may need. Spare pair of socks, pants, gloves, a hat, masks. A house key. Taking photos of your important documents is apparently a good idea too, email to yourself & store in a specific folder so you can retrieve them easily later. If you want to put more stuff in, google "bug out bags", just pack what seems appropriate, remember emergency centres would be set up really quickly so there's no need to go OTT. Keep them somewhere you can easily grab them, near your shoes. You're highly unlikely to need it but it's good to know that in an emergency you've got a plan.

It might also be a good idea to work out the route to your nearest big hill. Something above 50 or 60m above sea level, higher is even better. It needs to be something you could get to relatively quickly & easily. Again, highly unlikely you'll ever need to use it, but it's good to be prepared & it may help you not to be so anxious.

If you go and look on twitter there are a lot of professional volcanologists busy getting irrate at people spreading the theory and whipping people into a frenzy.

If you look it up on Wikipedia it also says the theory is debunked.

The east coast of American isnt doomed.

Nor are large parts of france and england.

The worst case scenario now could be problematic for the canaries but the sea floor should dissipate the waves even if there is a large land slip which is still extremely unlikely.

So no its not dooms day and this isn't a reason to panic.

I saw that documentary and the unlikely worst case scenario it outlined won't affect the UK. It was basically about an eruption that causes a massive chunk of the island to fall into the sea causing a huge tsunami to cross the Atlantic and hit the eastern seaboard of the US. Places like Miami or NYC could be worried about that, but not the south coast of the UK.

Yes YABU and causing yourself worry over nothing.

OP - if you're actually worried, pack a "Go Bag" for each family member

How completely ridiculous.

There is not going to be a tsunami. Suggesting the OP packs a bag is validating her anxiety that it might happen.

OP, I get the anxious and irrational feelings but it's the anxiety you need to deal with. There are lots of self-help things, or if it's really getting bad, see your GP.

@KingsleyShacklebolt - I've never been burgled, I don't live in an area where floods, hurricanes, tornadoes etc are likely. Never set so much as a toaster on fire. I still have insurance in case it happens. It gives me peace of mind.

@KingsleyShacklebolt

OP - if you're actually worried, pack a "Go Bag" for each family member

How completely ridiculous.

There is not going to be a tsunami. Suggesting the OP packs a bag is validating her anxiety that it might happen.

OP, I get the anxious and irrational feelings but it's the anxiety you need to deal with. There are lots of self-help things, or if it's really getting bad, see your GP.

Not ridiculous at all. The OP might not be hit by a tsunami but hundreds of people in the U.K. are flooded by rivers or surface water each year. Evacuations happen regularly for unexploded bombs or gas leaks. If the OP’s house burns down she’ll be glad she had some essentials stashes in her car.

It’s just about being responsible for your own welfare and not being a burden on others during an emergency. I’m guessing you’re the burden type though, who expects someone else to provide help in an emergency.

I've lived to almost 50 years of age and have never needed to leave the house with 2 minutes notice in an emergency situation. And my parents are both in their 70s and haven't either. And ditto my inlaws. And all the other people I know.

Being prepared for possibilities like poor winter weather is sensible. Or having sandbags if you live on a flood plain.

But having "emergency go bags" by the front door in case of a tsunami, zombie apocalypse or volcanic erupting - ridiculous.

there was a geologist on twitter yesterday saying there's no evidence that anywhere on la palma is actually unstable and there's nothing to worry about

I can't find the tweet now but he gave multiple scientific reasons that all is well. I trust it.