Hawaii Earthquake and Tsunami 2016: Could Mega-tsunami Triggered By An Earthquake Really Hit The Region?

Hawaii could be on the verge of destruction. According to a new prediction, the regions could soon by hit by a mega-tsunami, triggered by a massive earthquake hitting the Aleutian Islands within the next 50 years.

The prediction has been made by a team of researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The team predicts that Aleutian Island could soon be hit by an earthquake measuring more than 9 on the Richter Scale. The same earthquake is expected to trigger a massive tsunami that could lead to loss of life and property in Hawaii.

A report previously released by the State of Hawaii estimated that such a disaster could cause a damage worth of $400 billion and affect more than 300,000 people living in the area. The research team is expecting an earthquake to hit the Aleutian Islands.

To arrive at the prediction, the research team created a mathematical model using the data derived from five major earthquakes that have taken place since 1900s. The team used their knowledge of plate tectonics to create the model and also incorporated other factors in it such as the plate convergence rate and fault length.

The five big earthquakes considered by the researchers included Tohoku (2011), Sumatra (2004), Alaska (1964), Chile (1960) and Kamchatka (1952). All these earthquakes have a magnitude greater than 9.

The researchers then made use of the geological evidence present in the form of layers to predict the power of the tsunami that hit the identified regions in the past. This helped them arrive at the refined future probability estimates.

Despite what the findings are, the researchers are optimistic that proper annualized risk assessment can help officials plan for the disaster ahead. The researchers consider knowledge to be the ultimate power of humans, despite the fact that humans have no control over the Earth's tectonic plates.