Meteotsunamis in the Western mediterranean: A regional analysis from high-frequency sea level observations

This study outlines the first regional characterisation of meteotsunamis in the Western Mediterranean, drawing on high‑frequency sea‑level observations from 27 tide gauges across the Balearic Islands and the eastern Iberian coast. It examines when, where, and why these hazardous, tsunami‑like oscillations occur, identifying key hotspots such as Ciutadella, Vilanova, Portocolom and Port de Sóller, and demonstrating that meteotsunamis contribute substantially to extreme sea‑level events in several locations. The study explains how local harbour geometry, continental‑shelf resonance and synoptic‑scale atmospheric disturbances combine to generate and amplify these events, and it highlights both the dominant spring–summer “good‑weather” pattern and the presence of less frequent but significant autumn–winter events driven by different atmospheric mechanisms.

The authors recommend strengthening disaster risk reduction by prioritising early‑warning capabilities in the most exposed harbours, particularly those where harbour resonance strongly amplifies incoming waves, such as Ciutadella, Vilanova, Sóller and Portocolom. They further suggest that existing warning systems could be provisionally extended to other vulnerable sites, while acknowledging that accurate amplitude forecasting remains challenging because of local topographic controls and small‑scale atmospheric variability. The authors emphasise the need for site‑specific modelling, improved understanding of winter meteotsunamis, and continued expansion of high‑resolution monitoring networks to support more reliable forecasting and preparedness.