Hopeful yet urgent: preparing coastal communities for tsunamis
The likelihood of a tsunami affecting the Mediterranean in the next three decades is alarmingly high. Waves around one meter tall and water depths near seven hundred meters could bring catastrophic impacts, according to UNESCO’s statistical assessments. These figures emphasize the need for robust readiness plans across coastal regions.
During a briefing about the global tsunami warning system, Vladimir Ryabinin, secretary of the UNESCO Oceanographic Commission, stated that the probability of a tsunami occurring is not guaranteed, but it remains very high. Preparation is essential so communities can respond effectively when warning signs appear and the sea changes suddenly.
At present, UNESCO recognizes forty coastal areas across twenty-one countries as prepared to face tsunami risks. This capability is slated to take center stage at the United Nations ocean summit, scheduled for June 27 in Lisbon, underscoring the importance of international collaboration. Source: UNESCO IOC
The Tsunami Ready initiative strives to equip coastal populations worldwide with the knowledge and tools needed to cope with tsunamis. In the Mediterranean, experts warn that authorities may have underestimated the risk, leaving many residents with only partial awareness of the danger. Source: UNESCO IOC
The EU-funded project began on the Greek island of Kos in 2020, following a minor tsunami in 2017. UNESCO has since joined forces with the EU to broaden education and conservation efforts to neighboring coastal communities on a global scale. Source: UNESCO IOC
The ultimate objective is to ensure that every coastal area is capable of responding to a tsunami. Many zones remain vulnerable, and preparedness is essential when such a threat looms, according to Bernardo Aliaga, an IOC-UNESCO Tsunami Program Specialist. Source: UNESCO IOC
Education programs for tsunami awareness are built around a set of criteria that assess regional risks, including the socio-economic profile of communities, land use, and vegetation cover. Source: UNESCO IOC
Aliağa stressed the critical need for coordinated action among research teams, government agencies, and security and emergency services to deliver an effective tsunami response. Source: UNESCO IOC
Statistics show that roughly 70 percent of tsunamis are caused by seismic movements, about 20 percent by volcanic activity, and the remaining ten percent by meteorological factors. Source: UNESCO IOC