Seconds From Disaster Season 2 Episode 2 Alpine Tsunami

On the second episode of season 2 of Seconds From Disaster, we take a look at the catastrophic events that led to the Alpine Tsunami. The episode chronicles the events that occurred on August 4th, 2018, on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif. The events that took place on that fateful day were a result of a heatwave that had caused part of a massive glacier to melt.

The episode begins by taking us to the small town of Courmayeur, nestled at the base of the Italian Alps. The town is a popular tourist destination, with its picturesque views and quaint streets. However, on the day of the disaster, tourists and locals alike were jolted awake by a loud rumbling sound coming from the mountains.

The cause of the sound was a massive chunk of ice that had broken off from the Planpincieux Glacier. The chunk of ice weighed around 250,000 cubic meters and was the size of Milan's iconic Cathedral. As soon as the ice broke away, it started hurtling down the mountain at an incredibly high speed. This created a rare phenomenon known as an Alpine Tsunami.

The episode goes into intricate detail about the formation of glaciers and how they break apart under specific conditions. The collapse of the chunk of ice formed a wave that traveled down the valley, picking up debris and boulders along the way. The wave was almost 600 meters wide and reached speeds of over 150 km/h.

The Tsunami ultimately reached the village of Val Ferret, where it caused extensive damage and destruction. The episode explores the aftermath of the disaster, as residents and rescue workers struggled to cope with the destruction. The Alpine Tsunami left behind a trail of destruction, including destroyed roads, bridges, and houses.

The episode highlights the efforts of the Italian rescue teams that were dispatched to the area to help those that were affected by the Tsunami. We see the rescue workers traversing treacherous terrain to reach stranded families and evacuate them to safety. The disaster response teams made use of helicopters and other equipment to help search for people who were unaccounted for.

The episode also takes a look at the economic impact of the Alpine Tsunami. The region, which relied heavily on tourism, saw a significant drop in visitors following the disaster. Businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, suffered significant losses, leading to a downturn in the local economy. The episode goes into detail about the efforts made by the government and local businesses to recover from the disaster.

Overall, the second episode of the second season of Seconds From Disaster is a sobering reminder of the destructive power of nature. The episode does an excellent job of explaining the science behind the formation of glaciers and how they can break apart under specific conditions. It also highlights the bravery and dedication of the rescue workers who work tirelessly to help those affected by natural disasters. Finally, the episode showcases the resilience and strength of the human spirit, as we see the community come together to rebuild and recover from the disaster.