Towards the mitigation of the tsunami risk by submarine mass failures in the Gulf of Corinth: The Xylocastro Resort Town case study

Abstract

Submarine-mass-failure-generated tsunamis pose a significant threat to the coastal communities around the Corinth Gulf. An effort was made towards the mitigation of a potential tsunami generated in the eastern part of the gulf, due to a submarine landslide. The impact of the tsunami was assessed along the coastal segment of the summer resort town of Xylocastro. The analysis (study) of the data within a Geographical Information System revealed that a 4 m tsunami run-up will flood 12% of the town's district. One fifth of the permanent residents are expected to be affected, while one fourth of the infrastructure is likely to undergo damages. Although alarm and reaction times to a possible local tsunami are short, there is just enough time for evacuation. Therefore a more detailed hazard assessment and an emergency management plan should be undertaken, not only for Xylocastro, but also for other coastal regions in the Corinth Gulf, where extensive development is taking place.