- Researchers investigate whether an 8,200-year-old tsunami contributed to a population decline in Britain.
- Evidence of the Storegga tsunami can be found in sediment deposits across northern Europe.
- The impact of the tsunami may have wiped out a significant portion of the population in Howick, England, according to computer simulations.
Additional Coverage:
- A giant tsunami may have wiped out Stone Age populations in Britain 8,200 years ago, and scientists say a similar natural disaster could hit the islands again (businessinsider.com)
Around 8,200 years ago, an underwater landslide known as the Storegga slide triggered a tsunami that affected parts of northern Europe. During the same period, there was a significant dip in the population of Britain. Researchers from the University of York and the University of Leeds investigated whether the tsunami contributed to the population decline or if other factors were involved. Computer simulations conducted by the researchers revealed that the tsunami might have wiped out a significant portion of the population in Howick, Northumberland, England. The findings were published in the Journal of Quaternary Science.
The impact of the Storegga tsunami was widespread, reaching Norway, England, Denmark, Greenland, and Scotland, including the Shetland Islands. While there are no written records of the disaster, evidence can be found in sediment deposits from lakes, lagoons, and other bodies of water formed during the tsunami. These sediment layers provide clues about the distance the waves traveled inland and the frequency of similar events.
The researchers noted that it is possible the tsunami did not reach Howick, as the sediment found there differs from the finer sand associated with the Storegga waves. Further sedimentary research would be required to accurately determine if the deposits were produced by the tsunami at that location.
Tsunamis are rare in the British Isles, and the Mesolithic population had likely never experienced one before the Storegga landslide. The researchers speculate that the receding sea prior to the giant wave may have drawn people to collect stranded shellfish, potentially leading to a significant loss of life. The destruction of resources, such as hazel trees, could have also resulted in famine for survivors.
According to numerical models, the tsunami would have only affected Howick if it occurred at high tide. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the sea level position, topography, and elevation at the time of the event due to its ancient nature.
Recent research has indicated that tsunamis occurred in Shetland 5,000 and 1,500 years ago, suggesting that future tsunamis in the region are possible. Understanding past disasters, including prehistoric ones, is crucial for predicting and assessing the magnitude of future events in specific areas.