Scientists have discovered that the Mediterranean Sea, which has long been considered relatively safe in terms of tsunami risk, actually poses a significantly greater danger to coastal regions than previously thought.
This is reported by Finway
Potential for Destructive Tsunamis in the Mediterranean Sea
Despite the widespread belief that the Mediterranean Sea is not a zone of heightened seismic activity, historical events and recent research indicate otherwise. In particular, the coastline of the French Riviera, including the area near Nice, has repeatedly experienced powerful tsunami strikes. Researchers have concluded that the risk of destructive waves in the region is seriously underestimated, and new models confirm the possibility of such natural disasters recurring in the future.
Tsunamis typically occur as a result of sudden seabed shifts—specifically due to earthquakes, landslides, or underwater volcanic activity. Unlike regular waves, which are driven by the wind, tsunamis move colossal volumes of water across the entire sea basin. In open water, these waves are not always noticeable, but near the shores, they rapidly grow, leading to intense flooding and extremely powerful currents.
Historical Experience and Risks for Coastal Cities
Researchers emphasize that the approach of a tsunami is often accompanied by an unexpected retreat of water or waves that follow one after another, rather than forming one massive wall. While wave heights can range from minor to several meters, the main threat lies in the speed and power of their movement, where water can exert pressure of several tons per square meter, destroying infrastructure, buildings, and roads.
“According to statistics, since 1970, tsunamis have caused the deaths of over 250,000 people worldwide. Examples of the consequences include the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster and the massive tsunami in Japan in 2011, when entire coastlines were flooded in a matter of minutes, even where modern warning systems were in place.”
Traditionally, the main tsunami risk zones are considered to be the basins of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, recent research findings indicate that the Mediterranean region is not at all protected from this threat. It is here, after the Pacific Ocean, that the highest number of historical tsunamis has been recorded, including incidents that struck the French Riviera. From the 16th century to the early 21st century, approximately twenty such incidents occurred in this stretch of sea, with wave heights exceeding two meters.
Tsunami sources in the Mediterranean can be both local and distant: waves forming near the shore can reach the coastline in less than 10 minutes, while waves from distant areas can take up to an hour and a half to arrive.
Given this data, experts urge local authorities to develop effective plans to inform the public about the tsunami threat and implement operational response systems in case of danger.