Mega-tsunami theory disputed
From:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/sto...html
February 03, 2008
SUPPOSED evidence Australia has been subject to prehistoric tsunamis up to 20m in height over the past 10,000 years could just be the result of Aboriginal occupation, a major conference is set to hear tomorrow.
Archaeologists from the Australian National University say the theory about the mega-tsunamis, which has influenced the development of emergency service plans in Western Australia, is not supported by evidence.
In 2003 Australian geological researchers suggested prehistoric tsunamis over the past 10,000 years were much larger than those recorded since European settlement, including findings of surges up to 20m in height affecting a 2500km stretch of the WA coast.
“Our field work would suggest that the shell and coral deposits found high on headlands in WA or further inland are evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the area, and not deposits of mega-tsunamis or other major inundations,” ANU researcher Dr Tony Barham said.
He and colleagues Dr Sue O'Connor and Dr Stewart Fallon have also found that archaeological deposits in the area have not been disturbed by major inundation for 1000 years, undermining the theory that giant waves had flooded the area once every 400 to 500 years.
The findings will be presented to the Archaeological Science Conference at ANU, which starts tomorrow and concludes Wednesday.
“These earlier theories about mega-tsunamis and their frequency have been quite influential in WA for the development of emergency service plans – but our research would suggest that they are not supported by the archaeological evidence,” Dr Barham said.
“This is a great example of why solid archaeological research should be taken into account in the planning processes for future emergencies.
“Archaeology is a vital discipline for understanding the environmental and climate-change risks we face in Australia, as it shows how the continents' earlier inhabitants dealt with sudden and long-term changes to their environment.”
The conference will also hear how early agriculture was sustained in drying landscapes.
From:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/sto...html
February 03, 2008
SUPPOSED evidence Australia has been subject to prehistoric tsunamis up to 20m in height over the past 10,000 years could just be the result of Aboriginal occupation, a major conference is set to hear tomorrow.
Archaeologists from the Australian National University say the theory about the mega-tsunamis, which has influenced the development of emergency service plans in Western Australia, is not supported by evidence.
In 2003 Australian geological researchers suggested prehistoric tsunamis over the past 10,000 years were much larger than those recorded since European settlement, including findings of surges up to 20m in height affecting a 2500km stretch of the WA coast.
“Our field work would suggest that the shell and coral deposits found high on headlands in WA or further inland are evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the area, and not deposits of mega-tsunamis or other major inundations,” ANU researcher Dr Tony Barham said.
He and colleagues Dr Sue O'Connor and Dr Stewart Fallon have also found that archaeological deposits in the area have not been disturbed by major inundation for 1000 years, undermining the theory that giant waves had flooded the area once every 400 to 500 years.
The findings will be presented to the Archaeological Science Conference at ANU, which starts tomorrow and concludes Wednesday.
“These earlier theories about mega-tsunamis and their frequency have been quite influential in WA for the development of emergency service plans – but our research would suggest that they are not supported by the archaeological evidence,” Dr Barham said.
“This is a great example of why solid archaeological research should be taken into account in the planning processes for future emergencies.
“Archaeology is a vital discipline for understanding the environmental and climate-change risks we face in Australia, as it shows how the continents' earlier inhabitants dealt with sudden and long-term changes to their environment.”
The conference will also hear how early agriculture was sustained in drying landscapes.
posted by:
|
Oregon
|
