Earlier today, the Spanish government declared the Spanish-controlled Canary Island of La Palma a disaster zone and pledged a variety of national resources. La Palma has become victim to an active volcano and lava flow, and is now the focus of a conspiracy theory that a strong enough eruption could break away part of the island, plunging it into the ocean — and triggering a trans-atlantic super tsunami, which could wipe out US cities including New York, Boston, D.C., and Miami.

Such a scenario was played out by researchers at University of California more than two decades ago. Although theoretically possible, the odds of a super tsunami triggered by La Palma remain very low, as an array of conditions would have to occur for a tsunami to be caused, and then to make its way across the ocean without being disrupted before hitting shore.

Of things to worry about, this one is low on our list — but on the apocalyptic scenarios list, to be sure.

—FULCRUM Research

Earlier: THEORY EXPLORED: Could La Palma's Current Volcanic Eruption Spark US East Coast "Mega-Tsunami"?