Netflix has done it again. They’ve cooked up another binge-worthy series, and this time, it’s not just breaking hearts—it’s breaking islands! Enter La Palma, the four-part disaster drama that’s got everyone asking, “Is this real life or just Hollywood chaos?”
The plot is simple but dramatic: a Norwegian family’s tropical vacay on La Palma takes a turn for the apocalyptic when some overly enthusiastic young researcher decides to yell “Volcano!” in a crowded room. Predictably, chaos ensues.
Fact Check: True Story or Hot Lava Lies?
Nope, this isn’t based on a true story—sorry, conspiracy theorists! However, La Palma is a real place, and the idea of it sending massive waves to America isn’t entirely off the table.
Nestled in the Canary Islands (a.k.a. Spain’s sun-soaked answer to the Kardashians of the Atlantic), La Palma is known as the “Isla Bonita,” which translates to “Beautiful Island.” Fun fact: It’s also known as “The Island That Might Sink Us All” in certain academic circles. (Okay, not really. But it could be!)
The Big, Wet, Scary Tsunami Theory
Back in 2001, some scientists thought, “What if this giant volcano on La Palma crumbles and makes a mega-tsunami?” They even wrote a paper about it, warning of waves taller than your average giraffe hitting the Americas.
Thankfully, cooler heads (and smarter mapping) prevailed. Turns out, volcanoes don’t collapse like Jenga towers. They crumble bit by bit, like your willpower at a buffet. So, if La Palma’s volcano ever gets dramatic, the waves would be more of a splash pad situation—3 to 7 feet high by the time they reach the U.S., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Oh, and That Volcano Actually Erupted Recently!
In 2021, La Palma’s Cumbre Vieja volcano decided it was time for a comeback tour, erupting for the first time in 50 years. It wasn’t just a quick lava burp, either—this bad boy erupted for 85 days straight, earning the title of “Longest Eruption in Island History.” (Take that, Mount Doom!)
While there were no deaths (thankfully), over 7,000 residents had to pack up and leave. The lava also wiped out thousands of properties, banana farms, and probably a few dreams of peaceful island living.
So, Could It Really Happen?
In short: kind of, but not like in the show. If you’re imagining a wave the size of Godzilla smashing through New York, take a deep breath. The science says La Palma is more likely to give the U.S. a gentle slap than a knockout punch.
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the drama of La Palma—but maybe don’t book your next vacation there without checking the seismic forecast first. 🌋