Netflix’s disaster miniseries La Palma presents the story of a Norwegian family vacationing in La Palma a location near Tenerife as a scientist makes a shocking discovery about a fault line increasing under the volcano on island's surface. The scientist’s findings reveal a potential Manhattan size volcano collapse in the sea leading to massive tsunamis with ash fall out creating extremely devastating stakes in the show which the characters claim humanity has never seen before. La Palma tries to blend personal drama with a large-scale natural event.
Netflix's La Palma: A Disaster Narrative Informed by Historical Geological Discoveries and Published Scientific Papers
La Palma’s central premise is connected to a 1960s observation from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist Jim Moore that details how ocean islands like Hawaii and the Canary Islands frequently show massive landslides every 100000 years. Jim Moore from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory found evidence of these massive landslides. Those landslides occur when the side of the volcano caves in displacing huge volumes of water leading to localized tsunamis over 100 m high. This information is consistent with historical events such as Indonesia’s Krakatau’s 1883 eruption where it created a tsunami killing tens of thousands also in 2018 there was a volcanic eruption near Krakatau causing a caldera to collapse that then resulted in another tsunami and hundreds of deaths further solidifying scientific fact that this scenario can occur . In 2001 a paper presented the theory that La Palma was potentially capable of collapsing causing a 25m megatsunami striking North and South America eastern coasts.
Present Day Scientific Disagreement: La Palma's Mega-Tsunami Hypothesis Is Heavily Contested
Many present scientists disagree with the initial 2001 La Palma mega-tsunami theory due to several reasons the most notable being that ocean mapping shows this kind of landslide does not occur in one large piece but in much smaller and incremental portions over periods of time so that a megatsunami becomes unlikely. These current scientific views state the worst case scenario for a La Palma landslide may generate a one or two-meter tsunami that though harmful would not produce a devastating catastrophic human event as the character Marie Thea Sofie Loch Naess who acts the part of a Norwegian scientist describes in the series . In general there is also no evidence of ancient similar situations occurring. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory published an article in 2021 stating that the megatsunami theory initially developed in 2001 does not hold up under scientific scrutiny.
La Palma’s Use of Scientific Reasoning in Creating a Terrifyingly Believable Scenario
Although current scientists don't favor La Palma's megatsunami scenario the show rationalizes the situation including ideas from character Marie a Norwegian scientist who states a possible influence from climate change causing larger carbon dioxide pockets creating greater pressure with the fault line and earthquakes potentially worsening situations that will help cause the event. La Palma series makes an interesting and creative fictional approach to scientific understanding of a complex theoretical concept and presents them for general audiences. The show explains a domino effect "gas ash lava" from a simple analysis of volcanic events as mentioned by character Álvaro acted by Jorge de Juan bringing logic to chaotic series. Netflix released this series to stream in the U.S for its viewership.
La Palma Dominates Netflix Charts Post-Release Inspiring Similar Content Consumption For The Viewership
La Palma appeared at the top of the Netflix viewing charts after release in December 2024 being quickly viewed by many audiences which causes a demand for similar shows and movies. La Palma was created by Martin Sundland Lars Gudmestad and Harald Rosenløw Eeg and directed by Kasper Barfoed and provides viewers an insight into the catastrophic implications of a volcanic eruption in La Palma. The TV show has a mix of characters from Norwegian family vacationers and geological researchers each of whom show a new perspective of coming challenges facing human populations on this Spanish archipelago.
Short Series and Character Narrative Endings of Netflix Series La Palma
The disaster miniseries La Palma which was filmed by Kasper Barfoed comprises four episodes focusing on human relationships alongside looming disaster providing conclusion on character plot arcs. La Palma provides a finished and contained story in its 4th and final episode not implying a future continuation as it’s understood by all streaming viewers . For fans searching for more content the series offers many themes similar to those in “disaster” category and many related titles are provided below for fans with varying interests.
Realism and Creative Storytelling Blended within Disaster Theme Content Like 'The Impossible'
Like Netflix's La Palma, the 2012 film The Impossible features family resilience during a tsunami in Thailand occurring during 2004 which makes use of actual events in life . The 2012 biographical drama film starred Naomi Watts who portrays Maria Bennett based on the life of María Belón alongside Ewan McGregor and also Tom Holland showcasing events during this very serious crisis in a natural event. Both series are similar as they tell stories of resilience and creativity as they also have their basis on facts.
Sci-Fi Action Meets High Stakes In Geostorm's Climate Disaster Narrative Similar To Themes Present in La Palma
The 2017 movie Geostorm although sometimes forgotten in the disaster genre gives interesting viewpoints as Geard Butler plays the satellite designer Jake Lawson who battles malfunctioning climate satellites that induce destructive global storms. Geostorm is viewed as high-stakes action whereas La Palma focuses its plot and energy around families under duress. Geostorm has received a less than favorable score on Rotten Tomatoes however many still praise the science fiction elements and overall action making this a good option for disaster genre fans to explore as similar but very unique experience.
Political Intrigue And Human Relationships Explored During High Water's Flood Event And Its Similarity with La Palma
Netflix 2022 Polish show High Water uses the central European 1997 flood focusing on individuals affected in Wroclaw Poland with mostly fictionalized dramatic human stories based in and around an actual major disaster. Like Netflix La Palma the six episodes of High Water showcase scientists and government staff joining efforts to keep public safe from the encroaching and dangerous water levels creating human-led dramas similar in scope to the Netflix series . Similar to the Netflix miniseries High Water contains characters facing challenging real life disasters which is similar theme of character stories seen during La Palma and will also appeal to those viewing this series.
Norwegian Production The Wave Shares Similar Disaster Story Elements With Tsunami Focused Theme Like Netflix Series
The Wave the 2015 Norwegian film features an avalanche that triggers a destructive tsunami impacting a town in Møre og Romsdal Norway. Both The Wave and La Palma use families during stressful scenarios at well-known tourist locations and showcase the power of mother nature with the 2015 title receiving critical acclaim earning 83% positive reviews and official submissions for best foreign films at Oscars in 2016 and offers very interesting character studies .The Wave and La Palma share a common story about families and tsunamis occurring in Norway highlighting both regional and cultural connections.
Icelandic Series 'Katla' Infuses Supernatural Thrills With Disaster Events and Emotional Character Development
Netflix's Icelandic series Katla explores the mysterious happenings occurring one year following a major volcanic eruption near Vik Iceland. Katla explores new areas in comparison to Netflix's La Palma which involves a more straightforward disaster concept with characters mysteriously resurfacing in the community in this series creating a more science-fiction drama twist. Katla received high praise due to its unpredictable themes providing another excellent viewing for those interested in La Palma due to their very similar tone . Katla adds a high emotional theme alongside a compelling central story.
Gerard Butler Returns in Apocalyptic Movie 'Greenland' with an Upcoming 2025 Sequel 'Greenland: Migration'
The 2020 movie Greenland directed by Ric Roman Waugh follows Gerald Butler as John Garrity trying to keep his family from harm when a catastrophic comet hurtles toward planet Earth showcasing family relationships like Netflix series . Many individuals globally were specifically selected to find safety and this created intense pressure for all and a similar intense feeling for viewers and character arcs like what is experienced with the family unit featured during Netflix La Palma. Greenland is set to return in a new release titled Greenland: Migration which will premiere in 2025 featuring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin who also were stars from the original 2020 Greenland movie.
Volcano and Dante's Peak Explores Specific Catastrophe Of Volcanic Eruptions And City Chaos In American Based Locations
The 1997 movie Volcano is a unique take on natural disasters with a central earthquake in Los Angeles that causes a volcano to emerge deep underneath a fault line in this film . Though fictional the film was based on a real-world event occurring in Parícutin volcano’s formation. Tommy Lee Jones leads as Mike Roark the director of emergency management providing a similar viewpoint of community leadership in action compared to scientific and leadership roles that play parts within La Palma's series. Pierce Brosnan also stars in a volcano-based film titled Dante’s Peak where he plays Harry Dalton a geologist investigating an unexpected and growing geological risk in Washington which follows with the volcano exploding. Both Volcano and Dante’s Peak give viewers perspectives into action packed volcanic chaos with some level of social and environmental criticism.
Lost And The Poseidon Adventure Provides Narrative Structures Which Are Well Known Among Mainstream Media
The Lost television show centers on individuals crashing onto an island that explores deep mysteries throughout its many seasons a show that is well respected as among some of the greatest of our time and offers the story that resembles human’s struggle during chaos with human relationships tested in extreme and isolated environments as with themes seen throughout La Palma. The Poseidon Adventure released in 1972 based on the novel from Paul Gallico depicts a cruise ship that capsizes due to a tsunami forcing people to engage in perilous survival journeys which similar to stories that play within La Palma. These two older properties are classic mainstream entertainment demonstrating a historical basis and popularity for similar concepts and can also act as inspiration for current modern programming.