What will be impact of an earthquake-induced powerful tsunami in the thickly populated eastern Mediterranean region?
Scientists of the University of Bologna in Italy and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece did a detailed evaluation of the tsunamigenic zones off the cities Sicily and Crete. Their computer generated models simulated tsunami generation of magnitude 7 and above, wave propagation and coastal inundation. The model shows how earthquake-induced tsunami would impact the low-lying coastal areas.
It could affect the 130 million people living around the rim of Mediterranean, and a large area will be inundated within minutes. Greek islands would be hit badly. Scientists believe that the region is very vulnerable to powerful earthquakes and resultant tsunamis, as it sits near to African tectonic plates of Eurasia. Moreover, there would not be much gap for a warning.
The chances of a powerful tsunamis of magnitude 7 or above may be a phenomenon that would occur in a century. In AD 365, an earthquake of magnitude around 8.5 has hit the Mediterranean coasts that destroyed cities of Greece, Italy and Egypt. In 1908, the region was hit by a stronger quake of magnitude 7 and that created waves of 10 meters in height.
This region, naturally beautiful and that attracts thousands of tourists every year, is historically one of the most active regions of seismicity and tectonic movements. The coastal belts have experienced several tsunami events in the past.
The results were published in the Journal of Ocean Science as a discussion paper.
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