Here’s what would happen if a ‘mega tsunami’ struck

Tsunamis are among the most terrifying destructive forces imaginable – with recent disasters costing thousands of lives, and billions in damage.

But they’re not the worst dangers the sea and rivers can throw our way, according to YouTube channel Real Life Lore.

‘Mega tsunamis’ can be up to three miles high – taller than the Matterhorn in the Alps – and can devastate huge areas.

Real Life Lore says that, in contrast to normal tsunamis, which are usually created by earthquakes, ‘mega tsunamis’ are created by things falling into the water.

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Real Life Lore says, ‘A mega tsunami is usually created when a massive amount of material falls into water, displacing it, creating a huge wave.’

The biggest example would have happened 66 million years ago – with the asteroid or comet which killed the dinosaurs causing a wave three miles high.

But there have been mega tsunamis within living memory.

Real Life Lore says, ‘The most tragic instance of this in recent times was back in 1963 in Italy – where the Italian government was building what was meant to be the largest dam on Earth.

‘For months leading up to the tragedy, there were warning signs such as landslides – but the government ignored this, and sued the few journalists reporting on the issue.’

‘It was obvious that the mountain was going to collapse directly into the dam’s reservoir – and lowered the level of water to what they believe was safe. But the landslide was ten times more powerful than they expected, and filled the entire reservoir, generating a wave over 750ft high, and caused an impact crater 180ft deep.’

Almost two thousand people lost their lives – and towns were wiped off the map.

But the good news is that such events are extremely rare – and extremely unlikely to happen within our lifetimes, Real Life Lore says.