If the continents are still moving apart each year what will happen to the channel tunnel. Will eventually a gap appear at one end ?
2006-09-24 06:26:14 · 22 answers · asked by jas 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
No. Both ends are on the same continental plate.
It's not a silly question, though, because you can't tell by looking at a map. If there was a tunnel across the southern end of the Red Sea, or across the Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, it would have EXACTLY the problem you suggested, because Arabia is still rotating slowly anticlockwise around its north-western end.
2006-09-24 07:56:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Europe and North America are moving apart, at a measurable 100mm per year or so. France and the British Isles, as many informed respondents point out, are on the same plate, so they are moving together and not separating. A rise in sea level (also real and measurable) will increase the distance between the coasts of England and France, but the length of the tunnel, portal to portal, is unaffected.
2006-09-24 10:33:13 · answer #2 · answered by Paul FB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The whole of Europe sits on the Eurasian plate. So spreading only happens on the edges of some plates. And since France and Britain are in the same plate and the Channel Tunnel goes between them there is no concern for the tunnel.
2006-09-24 09:20:43 · answer #3 · answered by ms mystery 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the continents are still moving apart.
About the channel tunnel it depends. I think England is attached to the European platform, thus the tunnel will be safe.
2006-09-24 08:54:35 · answer #4 · answered by PragmaticAlien 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if your serious about this question.... first... did u think that the earth had stopped moving..????? have u heard about earthquakes..???? what do u think causes them...??? and any who do you think that the guys that make these things dont take these things into account..????? the tunnell is about 2miles or 3200km from the shore on each end.....did u think one day the guys would be standing there and whoops,.....better phone France the continents moved and the channel tunnels dropped into the water off the pier...????? help mi bob
2006-09-24 07:00:34 · answer #5 · answered by David M 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
too lots wishful thinking and not sufficient of historic reflections. previous the two factors and the What IF question, the two are in a susceptible scenario so i'm guessing war is out the question. to boot, what may be the element? Who could administration the main important Chunnel taxes, no longer lots to bypass to war over these days. i'm thinking better of an allied dating is working suitable right here than an enemy interior the making. Nappy could be carpet bombed on a depressing night in our actuality, so cool down with a Harry Potter e book particularly than a Napoleonic fable.
2016-10-17 21:35:08 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only tectonic plates move apart and seeing as the channel tunnel isn't on one...don't worry it won't be leaking any time soon!
2006-09-24 06:42:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Tunnel isnt between continents.
Its between England and France which share the same continental plate.
2006-09-24 06:35:24 · answer #8 · answered by Rich S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The continents are moving, relative to one another, but we're all on the same bit, so the chunnel won't even get so much as a bulb blown.
Thanks for caring though.
2006-09-24 07:13:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
UK and France are on the same continent so nothing to worry about! Dont confuse countrys and continents.
2006-09-24 06:36:40 · answer #10 · answered by BlackCountryBob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋