Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have discovered traces of a colossal tsunami up to 40 meters high that struck the eastern Mediterranean coast about ten thousand years ago. This is reported in an article published in PLoS ONE magazine.
Researchers analyzed coastal sediments near the ancient port city of Tel Dor in northwestern Israel. They also probed the site to create a digital model. A layer of sea shells and sand was discovered between 9290 and 9,910 years ago within a thicker layer of sediment typical of swamps. It is estimated that the wave that brought with it the sea sand traveled 1.5-3.5 kilometers inland. The minimum tidal wave height was supposed to be 16 meters, and the maximum – 40 meters.
Tsunamis in the Mediterranean Sea, caused by earthquakes and underwater landslides, usually spread inland for only 300 meters. Paleotsunami was most likely caused by a powerful underwater landslide. A natural disaster destroyed the coastal settlements of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, after which the territories were re-populated around 6,000 BC.
