East Coast needs tsunami warning, reader says

I applaud U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone for his efforts to get a tsunami warning system for the Atlantic coast. It is totally unacceptable that we are without one in today’s world. The United States is the strongest, most prolific country ever known and yet we are no match to nature’s fury. How dare our government waste the amounts of money that they do on pork barrel projects and let the largest population concentration in the United States sit unprotected? What an insult to every American citizen who no doubt would be affected by, God forbid, a tsunami that hit the eastern seaboard.

I read in an article in the Jan. 4 New York Times’ “Science Times” edition that the chances of the tsunami that hit the Bay of Bengal were considered very low. This same reckless attitude exists on the East Coast of the United States. I also read in horror how the western coast of Africa has a volcano, Cumbre Viela, that might erupt and could launch a tsunami toward North America. The waves were estimated to be up to 40 feet, the same size as the Bay of Bengal’s tsunami. That is small compared to the western coast of Africa getting slammed with 300-foot-high waves. Geologically speaking, this could happen anytime soon. I think all of our eyes have been opened to the realities of nature’s fury.

It is not even a question of if, but rather how fast can we get the same tsunami warning system that already protects the west coast of the United States.

Congressman Pallone is on a mission to save thousands of lives. We all support his lifesaving efforts.

Mark Richman

East Brunswick