Experts Warn: A Catastrophic 60 Meter High Tsunami Could Hit Australia

Experts have warned it's only a matter of time before a devastating tsunami hits Australia.

They said that the country's coastal cities have been lucky not to be struck by a series of catastrophic waves triggered by seismic activity or meteor impacts.

Past tsunamis, the most recent in 1491, have crashed more than 60meter-high cliffs and sent seawater as far inland as the Blue Mountains, 50 kilometers west of Sydney.

Dale Dominey-Howes, co-director of the Australian Tsunami Research Centre at the University of New South Wales said that tsunamis posed a real threat to Australian cities.

Such a disastrous event could go undetected until the last minute.

Experts have warned it is only a matter of time before Australia is hit by a devastating tsunami

Past tsunamis have produced massive waves and crashed over 60metre-high cliffs near Sydney (pictured)

Evidence has also been found that tidal waves from a tsunami reached the Blue Mountains (pictured), which lies 50km inland

Tsunamis are often triggered by earthquakes and landslides. However they can also be triggered by meteorite strikes, which are harder to detect in advance (pictured is the Blue Mountains)

Dr Bryant believes that a tsunami hit the Shoalhaven delta near Nowra (pictured) on the south coast, between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago

The tsunameter detects changes in pressure and the information is transmitted through the bouy, to an iridium satellite and into JATWC

A surface buoy is deployed into the water and anchored to the ocean floor (pictured)

Experts have revealed how they monitor Australia's coastline 24-hours-a-day to warn of an impending tsunami threat (pictured)

Earthquakes and landslides often trigger tsunamis. But they can also be triggered by meteorite strikes, which are more difficult to detect in advance.

Tsunami expert Dr. Ted Bryant, formerly of the University of Wollongong, believes detection systems wouldn't necessarily pick up on an incoming comet or meteor which could trigger the monstrous waves.

Dr. Bryant has evidence that great tsunamis have wreaked havoc across the east coast of Australia throughout history.

He thinks a tsunami hit the Shoalhaven delta close to Nowra on the New South Wales South Coast between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, sending water 10 kilometers inland.

Evidence has also been discovered that tidal waves from a tsunami reached the Blue Mountains, that lies 50km inland.

Another that hit in 1491 was 60metres high but didn't travel as far from the coast, Dr. Bryant said.

Australia's coastline is monitored 24-hours-a-day for impending tsunamis, that are just recorded once every two years in Australia.

Though rare, they pose a threat to swimmers since they can bring tides, abnormal waves, and dangerous currents.

The comprehensive and independent tsunami warning service which resulted from the Australian Tsunami Warning System (ATWS) Project is designed to advise public, the media, and emergency authorities of any tsunami threat to Australia and its offshore territories.

A video posted of Australia's tsunami detection system, by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), shows the nations last line of defense to warn of incoming threats.

When an earthquake occurs, seismologists at the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) determine whether there's the potential for the undersea earthquake to lead to a tsunami threat to Australia.

If there's a threat, the Bureau will issue a national tsunami watch.

The tsunameter detects changes in pressure and the information is transmitted through the buoy, to an Iridium satellite, and into JATWC.

JATWC continues to monitor sea levels to verify, re-assess and update information about a threat.

If the data observations confirm a tsunami threat, the Bureau, on behalf of JATWC, will issue warnings for the affected states and territories under its severe weather communication infrastructure.

When the threat has passed, a cancellation issue will be sent, and the relevant emergency authority will inform the public when it is safe to return to the area.