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Abstract:
With the highest population density per square kilometre in Europe, and an intensive coastal land use, the Maltese islands recognize the importance of becoming a Tsunami-Ready(TR) country. Through the UNESCO-IOC-led project CoastWAVE, funded by DG ECHO, the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami-Ready Recognized status is first being implemented on a smaller scale in the town of Marsaxlokk, on the southeast coast of Malta. In order to evaluate the population's sea level related coastal hazard understanding and awareness, a risk perception questionnaire about tsunami, sea-level rise and storm surge was carried out, involving different target groups representing the local population. The population showed a general misconception mainly regarding the tsunami and storm surge terms because they are familiar with the impact of the latter in Marsaxlokk. The younger population showed insufficient understanding of the natural signs (e.g., sea drawback) of a tsunami, the risk and potential impact in the locality. Further outreach activities will be carried out in Marsaxlokk, informed by the key survey findings. To fulfil one of the twelve TR Indicators (approved inundation maps), a series of tsunami propagation scenarios were also carried out through the numerical model HySEA to explore propagation times, inundation area and run-up at Marsaxlokk and the Grand Harbour (Valletta). The simulated scenarios included a magnitude 7.1 earthquake-generated tsunami based on the 1908 Messina Strait tsunami, which produced well-documented high sea level records around Malta. The results of the CoastWAVE project will contribute towards the future elaboration of a national tsunami awareness, preparedness and early warning programme.
