Numerical Modelling of the Destructive Meteotsunami of 15 June, 2006 on the Coast of the Balearic Islands

Abstract

A destructive tsunami-like event (locally known as ''rissaga'' waves) occurring on 15 June, 2006 in Ciutadella Harbour (Menorca, Balearic Islands) is reproduced by a numerical model forced by a travelling atmospheric disturbance. The disturbance is reconstructed from microbarograph measurements, being the only available instrumental data at the time of the event. The model is verified based on two weaker 1997 events, which were recorded by a number of bottom pressure recorders operating at that time on the Menorca shelf, in Ciutadella Inlet and adjacent Platja Gran Inlet. Both 1997 events are numerically simulated and good agreement is achieved with observations in time, frequency (including eigenfrequencies of the affected inlets) and wave heights. Subsequently the same model is applied to simulate the 2006 event. The vigorous currents with speeds up to 400 cm/s are found to occur specifically at those areas of the harbour where the most severe damage and sinking of boats had been reported. Maximum simulated sea-level heights of 2.5 m were about one half of those reported by eyewitnesses. This difference is apparently caused by quality and spatial resolution of bathymetry data. However, in general, the model is capable of reproducing the event fairly well and can probably be used for future assessment and mitigation activities on the coasts of the Balearic Islands.

Resonance of long waves generated by storms obliquely crossing shelf topography in a rotating ocean

“…the passage time of the disturbance over a fixed point) is small compared to the inertial period. V07 and V10 contributed to understanding how atmospheric disturbances of short time scales may excite shelf seiches and large transient waves which can result in destructive meteotsunami events (within the 5-30 min period band) at several locations around the world (Nomitsu 1935;Defant 1961;Monserrat, Ibbetson & Thorpe 1991;Rabinovich & Monserrat 1996;Monserrat, Vilibić & Rabinovich 2006;Vilibić et al 2008;Goring 2009). Here it is shown that conditions for the occurrence of Proudman resonance and that suggested by V10 are modified in the presence of Coriolis effects.…”

The development and implementation of a real-time meteotsunami warning network for the Adriatic Sea

“…Meteotsunamis are known to cause extensive damage and even loss of human life. The Balearic Island meteotsunami of 15 June 2006 with 5 m high waves caused economic loss of several tens of Correspondence to: J.Šepić (sepic@izor.hr) millions of euros (Jansa et al, 2007;Vilibić et al, 2008). The Nagasaki Bay meteotsunami of 31 March 1979, again with 5 m high waves, resulted in the drowning of three elderly women (Hibiya and Kajiura, 1982).…”

Modern Approaches in Meteotsunami Research and Early Warning

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