Tsunami Inevitable in Bay of Cádiz

A new documentary film called “La Gran Ola” (the big wave) by Fernando Arroyo is to be released in May 2017. Unlike the “wave” of disaster movies, this one is factual and involves nearly fifty of the world’s leading scientists who conclude that according to the rules of geology an earthquake and tsunami will definitely happen, it is simply a question of when. They have occurred before, and archaeological evidence has been found of at least 20 in the Bay of Cádiz alone. In fact there are regular tremors in the order of 3 - 3.5 Richter as the African tectonic plate pushes north against the Iberian one.

The epicentre is likely to be on the sea bed off the coast of Lisbon where there is constant seismic activity, and which was the epicentre of the massive earthquake and tsunami of 1755 which killed tens of thousands of people causing immense damage. It has been calculated that the speed of the wave oscillated between 300 and 735 kph and hit Andalucía – from Huelva to Cádiz - only 30 minutes later at a height of 16 metres. It also caused radical changes to the landscape and even changed the course of some rivers. The city of Cádiz is only 11 metres above sea level and much of the province is low lying – like the Sherry vineyards - so there is much to lose.

After various earthquake and tsunami events already this century there is now a World Day of Tsunami Awareness. Spain and Portugal are working together to create an early warning system, but many believe its rate of progress is too slow. Fernando Arroyo does not wish to be alarmist, but such an event could happen at any time and it is only prudent to issue warnings.

11.5.16 Earthquake; Rick Stein

At 19.18 yesterday an earthquake of 4.2 Richter was felt in Jerez. The epicentre, at a depth of 10 km,  was a little north-east of Paterna, a small municipality about 20 km inland from Cádiz, and shockwaves were also felt in Arcos de la Frontera and San José del Valle where a lady’s house collapsed, though it was in poor condition. Some windows were broken and people were scared rushing outside, but fortunately nobody was injured. Even older people could not remember anything like it. And this on top of the wettest May in living memory.

British celebrity chef Rick Stein is to visit the province of Cádiz as part of his television series “Rick Stein’s Long Weekends”.  Filming will take place in June though the production company has already been investigating locations in the city of Cádiz as well as Jerez, Sanlúcar, Rota, El Puerto, Chiclana and Vejer. The programme will centre on the flavours of Cádiz, mainly fish and shellfish as well as carne de retinto and highlight how well Sherry accompanies these. It is expected to be broadcast in November on BBC 2 to an audience of over three million.

28.1.16 #winelover to Visit Jerez; Earthquake

About 30 members of the international community of wine lovers (www.winelover.co) of no fewer than 16 nationalities are coming to town to learn more about Sherry next month. This is to celebrate the 4^th anniversary of the community which consists of professionals as well as amateurs. Their trip has been organised by Paladar y Tomar, specialists in wine and gastronomy tourism. All three Sherry towns will be visited and they are booked at Barbadillo, Delgado Zuleta, González Byass, Lustau, Gutiérrez Colosía and Osborne. Williams & Humbert are offering them a tasting of Añada Sherries, and the trip ends with a tasting of wines each member will bring with them. I hope they have stamina - they have a lot to do between the 10^th and 13^th of February.

They even have special T shirts!

An earthquake of 6.3 Richter struck on Monday. The epicentre was 20 km below the Alborán Sea, part of the western Mediterranean and it was felt along the Costa del Sol, luckily without any damage, but some was suffered in the Spanish enclave of Melilla on the tip of North Africa. The quake was followed by a 5.1R tremor minutes later which was felt as far away as Sevilla and Granada, followed by many milder ones. The African tectonic plate is pushing north and the area between it and Spain has seen much seismic activity. The Bay of Cádiz has many mud volcanoes and the area is no stranger to mild earthquakes. Let us hope seismic activity will not harm Sherry.