How much energy does it take to Sink an Island?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter promeus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothetical energy required to sink an island the size of Palau (191 square miles). It references the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, which released an estimated energy of 8×1017 Joules, significantly more than the yield of the Tsar Bomb (2.1×1017 Joules). Participants clarify that sinking an island is not feasible without geological processes over millions of years, emphasizing that the concept is more about destruction than sinking. The conversation highlights the historical context of volcanic eruptions and their immense energy outputs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of volcanic eruption mechanics
  • Familiarity with energy measurement in Joules
  • Knowledge of geological processes related to island formation and destruction
  • Awareness of historical volcanic events, particularly Krakatoa
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the energy output of significant volcanic eruptions, focusing on Krakatoa
  • Explore geological processes involved in island formation and destruction
  • Study the historical impact of volcanic eruptions on local populations
  • Investigate comparisons between volcanic energy releases and nuclear weapon yields
USEFUL FOR

Geologists, environmental scientists, historians, and anyone interested in the energy dynamics of volcanic eruptions and their effects on landforms.

promeus
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
Lets say that this is hypothetically possible;How much energy would be required to sink an Island the size of Palau(191 square miles)?

Could this be calculated in Joules?

What if a volcanic eruption was capable of doing this how much energy would it take to sink an Island of this size.
 
Science news on Phys.org
promeus said:
Lets say that this is hypothetically possible;How much energy would be required to sink an Island the size of Palau(191 square miles)?

Could this be calculated in Joules?

What if a volcanic eruption was capable of doing this how much energy would it take to sink an Island of this size.

Islands aren't floating on water...
 
berkeman said:
Islands aren't floating on water...

so true!

it would be more correct in saying ... how much energy it takes to destroy an island

you need to look no further than the once existing island of Krakatoa in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatera, Indonesia. In 1883 the eruption of the volcano pretty much totally destroyed the island leaving a huge undersea cauldera. Volcanic rebuilding had continued and now we have Anak Krakatau or son (child) of Krakatoa. Its also quite a violent volcano.
The 1883 eruption was huge some 20+ cubic km of material was ejected and the booms of the explosion were heard over 3000km away.

OK after some amount of link following, I found this in wiki...
8×10^17 J = estimated energy released by the eruption of the Indonesian volcano, Krakatoa, in 1883
and to put that into perspective...
2.1×10^17 J = yield of the Tsar Bomb, the largest nuclear weapon ever tested (50 megatons)this guy wrote a good book on the eruption, I read it some years back
not only did he look at the volcano itself but took it into historical context with the local population etc.

Winchester, Simon (2003). Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-621285-5.


there are many other references on the www, and surely some one has written about the equivalent amounts of energy released say compared to large nuclear bombs etc

cheers
Dave
 
Last edited:
promeus, you'll have to be more clear. You can't sink an island, unless you literally want to drive it into the Earth's crust. You'd need a few million years. (Mountains sink, but it takes long time).
 
this thread almost belongs in the Earth section of the other sciences forum.

D
 

Similar threads

High School Why does hot water rise to the top of a water heater?
  • · Replies 66 ·
3
Replies
66
Views
4K
High School Energy Harvesting: Calculating kWh from Motorway Traffic
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad How much energy is needed to blow up stone (and other materials)?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K
Undergrad Extremely strange consequence of the speed of heat value
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Undergrad Help me understand how much heat sink possible with frozen H2O
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad How does evaporation generate cooling? Swamp coolers edition
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Undergrad How can the maximum entropy and minimum energy principles be physical?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Undergrad Question about energy (explosions)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Amount of energy required to heat a kg of water?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
High School How much energy do you need to split up a proton?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K