Recent developments in tsunami preparedness in the North-Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean region: Challenges, strengths, and weaknesses

Tsunamis pose a low-frequency but high-impact hazard to coastal communities in the North-Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (NEAM) region. They are destructive, and their occurrence cannot be predicted. However, communities can take measures to decrease their impact. As concern grows for the NEAM region, local and international efforts are beginning to promote a complex legal and operational approach to hazard assessment, evacuation plans, and the establishment of effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Early Warning Systems. This study reviews the evolution of tsunami preparedness in the North-Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the adjacent seas, and recommends a shift from technically oriented warning systems to community resilience. Developments in this area are often delayed by inconsistent public awareness and the low priority given to coastal hazards in policy agendas. To address these vulnerabilities, the present paper underscores the need for continuous international cooperation, institutionalized education, and the deployment of innovative technologies.