Tsunamis in Kent – is this a disaster movie or could it actually happen?

If you are to believe a couple of scientists then it already has.

Professor Simon Haslett from the University of Wales and Australian tsunami expert Professor Ted Bryant have been looking into whether this county could be at risk in the future.

Professor Haslett said: “Tsunami strike British shores more frequently than previously considered – with a group of possible tsunami events occurring throughout history in the Dover Straits.”

In May 1382 there was an earthquake measuring 5.75 on the Richter scale and as well as causing churches to collapse, reports from the time describe waves that damaged ships in port.

~Listen: Professor Haslett explains why a tsunami could hit Kent tomorrow ......or in 1,000 years>>>

Later in April 1580 there was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake and again giant waves were reported and hundreds of people were killed when their ships sunk.

Earthquakes, like the one in Folkestone last year, have occurred in the Channel regularly over the course of history.

Professor Haslett and Professor Bryant warn that another quake could inundate low lying parts of Kent in the future and that people should be prepared for the risk.

However Professor Haslett did add: “Any future tsunami in the UK is likely to be on a far smaller scale and more localised than the tsunami that occur in either the Pacific or Indian Oceans.”

Both experts say it is important to work out what causes floods so that proper defences and emergency plans can be created.

• The research is featured in the ‘Timewatch’ programme to be broadcast on the BBC 2 at 8pm on Saturday October 4.