OVERLAY REPORT

Based on the events of *Frozen II*, the destruction of the dam has a massive, potentially catastrophic physical impact on Arendelle, which is ultimately mitigated by Elsa’s intervention. Here are the specific details: ### 1. The Creation of a Massive Tidal Wave When the Earth Giants destroy the dam at Anna’s urging, the reservoir of water that had been held back for over 30 years is suddenly released. Because the dam was located high up in the mountains/fjord system, the gravity and volume of the water create a massive, towering tidal wave. ### 2. The Path of Destruction The water surges down the fjord directly toward the fjord's mouth, where the kingdom of Arendelle is situated. Because the town is built at the base of the mountains and along the waterline, it lies directly in the path of the flood. ### 3. Threat of Total Submersion The film shows that the force and height of the water are enough to completely level the castle and drown the entire village. Had the wave hit, the physical structure of the kingdom would have been largely obliterated, and the landscape would have been permanently altered by the rush of the river returning to its natural state. ### 4. Elsa’s Physical Intervention As the wave nears the castle, Elsa (having been freed from Ahtohallan) arrives on the Nokk (the water spirit horse). She uses her magic to create two primary physical barriers: * **The Ice Wall:** She freezes a massive, curved wall of ice in front of the castle to block the initial impact of the wave. * **The Redirection:** By channeling her power, she splits the force of the water and sends it harmlessly back out into the sea/fjord, preventing the town from being submerged. ### 5. Restoration of Natural Water Flow Once the immediate threat of the flood passes, the physical geography of the region changes back to its "natural" state. The dam was a physical "plug" that had been choking the spirits and the land. By removing it: * **The River Flows Freely:** The river is no longer artificially restricted, restoring the natural ecosystem of the Enchanted Forest and the fjord. * **The Mist Dissipates:** While not a "physical" object in the same way as the dam, the magical mist wall that physically blocked entry to the forest vanishes as a direct result of the dam’s destruction. ### Summary of Physical Damage Because of Elsa’s speed, the **actual physical damage to the town of Arendelle is virtually zero.** The townspeople had already evacuated to the cliffs above the city (due to the spirits forcing them out earlier in the film), and Elsa’s ice barrier protected the buildings. The only structure physically destroyed was the **dam itself**, which was located deep within the Enchanted Forest.