Brussels, 30/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Mediterranean coastal countries are preparing for possible tsunamis. As part of the EU-funded PPRD (prevention preparedness response to natural and man-made disasters) South Programme, a workshop, organised in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, is taking place on the island of Stromboli (Italy) until Saturday 2 June. Some 60 risk management experts have gathered to consider setting up tsunami warning system that gives sufficient warning of an impending tidal wave to be able to protect the people endangered. The narrowness of the Mediterranean compared with the Atlantic Ocean, for instance, means that immediate response is needed as, once a tsunami has been detected, there is little time for confirmation of warnings and implementation of appropriate measures. One of the possibilities under consideration is raising awareness and making sure that people know what to do in the event of a tsunami.
The experts say that the Mediterranean is at high risk of tsunamis, with the Italian coasts, in particular, in danger. Already in place is the UNESCO-IOC Mediterranean Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System (NEAMTWS), which detects the earthquakes and underwater landslides that can cause tsunamis. Thanks to NEAMTWS, it is possible to identify potential tsunami impact areas, predict the propagation of the tsunami and its time of arrival and finally issue the tsunami warning to national authorities. (FB/transl.rt)