Is the Mediterranean ready for the next big tsunami?

Throughout history, the Mediterranean basin has experienced the occurrence of several large tsunamigenic earthquakes due to the active geodynamics of the existent plate boundaries and associated seismogenic structures. These earthquakes and tsunamis were documented by the many civilizations that have settled in northern Africa, eastern Mediterranean, and southern Europe. The tsunamis were generated either through seafloor rupture during offshore seismic events, or through submarine landslides that were triggered by onshore earthquakes. In addition, some tsunamis were triggered by volcanic-eruption landslides. In this paper, we review the large tsunamis that took place in the Mediterranean basin, and we relate the sources and locations of those tsunamis to specific structures throughout the basin. We underline that the coasts with tsunami hazards can be near or far from the tsunamigenic sources, and that the near- and far-source effects of any tsunami that follows a large earthquake can be equally critical as it propagates for short or long distances across the basin. We recommend that all Mediterranean countries should coordinate their efforts to handle their basin-wide tsunami hazards, and to undergo the required preparations ahead of the next big tsunami.