Well back in the 1990s, Tommy Lee Jones and the LAFD used jersey barriers, fire trucks, and knocked a building over to stop a lava flow from demolishing the west side of Los Angeles, so I'd say we're pretty impressive too.

[–] Vandals_handle@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago

Fun fact, in California where the action described takes place, they are officially called k-rails, not jersey barriers. Had to double check wiki to confirm CA predated NJ where I learned about Ontario Tall Wall, which was mentioned but described so...

Barrier Rabbit Hole

[–] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago

People credit Tommy Lee Jones, but the true hero was the basketball that we rolled along the way

[–] Observer1199@lemmy.ml 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Got any more details on that? Seems like it could be an interesting read

[–] Monument@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

This won’t be the most narrative experience of the event, but basically, the town was mostly destroyed, however they were able to use firefighting boats to selectively cool the lava, resulting in not just saving their harbor (the main economic driver for their island), but also improving it, by making it more protected from the ocean.

Wikipedia - 1973 Eruption on Heimaey Island

[–] Observer1199@lemmy.ml 2 points 5 months ago

Very interesting! Thanks

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

Icelandic people meeting god before time started.

God: y'all want to die in fire or ice?

Icelandic people: yes