Static and panic as tsunami wave surges along south coast
The 60cm (2ft) wave surged along the south coast, causing confusion from Cornwall to Portsmouth.
Holidaymakers, fishermen and conservationists were stunned when the sudden drop in tide led to a perceivable shift in air pressure which created static in the atmosphere and caused some people’s hair to stand on end.
Experts yesterday confirmed the extraordinary events were probably caused as a result of a landslide on the continental shelf, 200 miles west off Land’s End.
The tsunami caused a stir when it hit the narrow causeway between St Michael’s Mount islet and the mainland at Marazion.
Local boatman David Ladner said: “All the ladies’ hair was standing on end because of static.
“The sea to the east of the island was a foot higher than it was to the west and it was pouring across the causeway like a torrent.”
Simon Evans, who was digging for bait on the beach at Marazion at 10.30am on Monday, described it as “something out of a horror film”.
He added: “It was really eerie, like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
“One minute I was literally stood at the water’s edge, then when I turned around the water had retreated around 50 yards.
“The only time I’d ever heard of anything like it was hearing about tsunamis – so I jumped in my car and got out of there.”
Effects of the phenomenon were seen from Penzance to Portsmouth, 250 miles away.
Footage taken by a witness also shows the tsunami travelling up the River Yealm, Devon, against its natural flow. Plymouth boatman Roland Stuart was also stunned when the tsunami hit the lake he was on at Millbrook, near Torpoint. He added: “My boat was moving around with the speed of the water rushing in to the lake.”
Expert Dr Mark Davidson from the University of Plymouth said: “It’s rare – it’s probably not a tidal phenomenon. It’s more likely to be a tsunami.”
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