A stunning Greek island loved by British tourists is underprepared for a tsunami, a top seismologist has warned. He said that it would be a good idea to put serious evacuation plans in place, as the “scientifically calculated” risk was recently reviewed. Efthymios Lekkas is a professor of dynamic tectonics, applied geology and natural disaster management, and recently said that Rethymno, a historic coastal city in northern Crete, should be prepared. At a conference in the city, he presented findings from an updated seismic risk assessment conducted by his research team.
He warned that two areas of the city would face significant evacuation difficulties should a tsunami hit. These include the eastern part of the city, which is densely packed with hotels.
Meanwhile, he said that the historic Old Town, with its narrow streets, would also cause difficulty. However, he said that seismic activity in Rethymno would not be comparable to more serious events in Asia, where devastating tsunamis have hit places like Japan and Indonesia.
Dr Margarita Segou, an earthquake seismologist at the British Geological Survey, told the Metro that the most credible data for the Mediterranean coastline currently comes from the 2018 Tsunami Hazard Model. This scientific computer map and calculator estimates the likelihood and size of tsunamis caused by earthquakes across the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea.
She says Rethymno’s estimates are comparable to those for Catania in Sicily. Additionally, she warns that coastal cities along the active Hellenic Trench generally face a two- to three-fold higher probability of similar tsunamis.
This “marks a zone from western Peloponnese to south Crete that bears the highest tsunami hazard in the region”, she told the publication.
“We should always rely on the best available science and exercise caution to ensure findings are interpreted accurately and responsibly,” she said.
Regarding Rethymno, Lekko’s research concludes that it is better equipped than some other parts of Greece. He said: “The Municipality of Rethymno has a significant advantage over other municipalities in the country: It has extensive experience in scientific planning for natural hazards.”