Filenews 17 February 2023 - by Despina Psylou
A half-metre tsunami was recorded by tide gauges in Paralimni after the deadly seismic tremor that swept through Turkey and Syria. As revealed by an investigation by "F", there is currently no clear plan of action and response to this phenomenon. The Civil Defence receives warnings in case of danger from certified centres within the Mediterranean, so the Director of the Geological Survey Department is automatically informed. However, the intention to evaluate in order to identify any weaknesses was underlined. In the meantime, a relevant response plan is in the process of being prepared, which is expected to be completed in spring 2024.
The director of the Geological Survey Department, Christodoulos Hadjigeorgiou, noted to "F" that "from the recordings of the tide in Paralimni we found that a tsunami half a metre high was created on the coastline. There was no danger," he said, adding: "We received a warning that there was sea level fluctuation in various tide gauges in the eastern Mediterranean, which was also verified by the measurements. We had a small tsunami caused by the seismic activity in the area." The risk would be serious if the earthquake occurred in the underwater area. "Then we would expect a large and devastating tsunami." However, he said, based on historical data, the risk of tsunamis is not very frequent in Cyprus, without excluding that there will be none.
In case of detection of a tsunami, he said, the European network sends warnings, which the Civil Defence receives in Cyprus. For its part, the Civil Defence warns the director of the Geological Survey Department, when the situation is assessed and decisions are made. If necessary, the Civil Defence may also warn the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre and the Port Police to handle it as they see fit and/or issue relevant instructions.
On 25 November 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the Cyprus National Tsunami Early Warning System Commission for the Mediterranean and North Atlantic (NEAMTWS). "There are approved alert centres in Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. Cyprus is connected to this network and provides all the seismic data recorded by its seismological network in real time and receives updates from the centres of Italy- Greece- Turkey, which are sent to the Civil Defence as the competent Authority". He clarified that calculations are being made by the centres in case of tsunami risk.
The Geological Survey Department, the Civil Defence, the Department of Lands and Surveys which are the main members of this National Committee for Tsunami Early Warning along with other bodies such as the Oceanographic Centre of the University of Cyprus, the CUT, Frederick University and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) are implementing a Unesco-funded project. This includes the majority of Mediterranean countries, and areas have been selected as "tsunami-ready". For Cyprus this area is Larnaca and at this stage the necessary studies are being carried out and information, training and signage will follow so that in case of a tsunami a warning system for the inhabitants will operate. A new tide will also be installed in Larnaca.
"The Commission's aim is to implement similar plans in the other coastal areas vulnerable to tsunamis." The project is expected to be completed in spring 2024 and will provide more direct information on the protection of residents living in coastal areas.
