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What If We Dug Tunnels Between Continents?

What If | December 13, 2025



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Imagine what it would be like if you could wake up in your New York City apartment at 7:00 a.m., and make it to your job in London, England by 9:30 in the morning. That would be a possibility if we dug tunnels between the two continents. Just try not to get sick. Believe it or not, something like this is possible. How would we make a tunnel like this? How much would it cost?

Transcript and sources: https://insh.world/science/what-if-we-dug-tunnels-between-continents/

Watch more what-if scenarios:
Planet Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-HhCwYD7rc&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJCzxwmCq0NNpYq9N9wyb2l
The Cosmos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfuJyVkMH_g&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJno6oFF9nLGuwXNGYHmE8U
Technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS3bBO05fpU&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTIeRY3JtgXgoGqSEB7kDdKO
Your Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmXR46TrbA8&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJNsV9FFeNAKl2ySsHj8GZO
Humanity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdCDQIyXGnw&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTIFnvmOeWbv-Mt8zFxSCSvZ

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Comments

This post currently has 21 comments.

  1. @डीऑक्सीराइबोन्यूक्लिक_एसिड

    December 13, 2025 at 1:19 am

    The earth is in constant motion and an underwater earthquake that would trigger a tsunami could tear the thing apart or even trigger collapsing tunnels. Good luck trying to close any holes too. You would easily be crushed under thousands of pounds of water (1 cubic meter of water is 1,000 kilograms) rushing down and with small holes it could act as a water jet cutting you into pieces if you pass through them.

    An object underwater can be destroyed by a tsunami, especially in coastal areas, due to powerful forces like the surge of water, debris, and intense currents that can slam it against the seafloor or other structures.

    While objects in the deep ocean may be safer, those in shallower water are highly vulnerable.

    How tsunamis destroy objects underwater:

    Powerful currents and forces: Tsunamis create strong, fast currents that can exert immense pressure on objects on the seafloor. The force can lift and move large objects, flipping vehicles or even lifting giant boulders.

    Debris: Tsunamis are full of hazardous debris, including things from land that have been swept away. This debris acts like battering rams, and can destroy objects on the seafloor or entangle them.

    Impact with other objects: As the tsunami surges, it can slam the object into the seafloor, rocks, or other underwater structures, causing significant damage.

    Habitat destruction: For marine ecosystems, the effect is clear. Studies have shown extensive damage to coral reefs from the force of the water and the debris carried by it.

    What's different about being underwater vs. on the surface?

    Deep ocean: An object deep in the ocean is likely safer from the most destructive aspects of a tsunami because the waves are long and low and the forces are less intense far from shore.

    Shallow water: The danger increases dramatically in shallower water, like harbors or near the coast, where the waves are more powerful and destructive.

    In conclusion, while an object deep underwater is relatively safe, anything near the coast is at high risk of being destroyed by the force and debris of a tsunami.

  21. @JosheRandom

    December 13, 2025 at 1:19 am

    What if this tunnel was floating? like with a line of ships tied together and anchored to the sea? storms and high waves would be a real problem though. But I think the tunnel in the video is actually possible if they find the lowest deeper points to avoid the ocean weight, but still, they would need to use a high resistance material that would not be crushed by its force.

Comments are closed.

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