Proposal for a new meteotsunami intensity index

Abstract

Atmospherically generated coastal waves labelled as meteotsunami are known to cause destruction, injury, and fatality due to their rapid onset and unexpected nature. Unlike other coastal hazards such as tsunami, there exist no standardised means of quantifying this phenomenon, which is crucial to understand shoreline impacts and to enable researchers to establish a shared language and framework for meteotsunami analysis and comparison. In this study, we present a new five-level Lewis Meteotsunami Intensity Index (LMTI) trialled in the United Kingdom (UK) but designed for global applicability. A comprehensive dataset of meteotsunami events recorded in the UK was utilised, and the index's effectiveness was evaluated, with intensity level and spatial distribution of meteotsunami occurrence derived. Results revealed a predominant occurrence of Level 2 moderate intensity meteotsunami (69%) in the UK, with distinct hotspots identified in south-western England and Scotland. Further trial implementation of the LMTI in a global capacity revealed its potential adaptability to other meteotsunami-prone regions, facilitating the comparison of events and promoting standardisation of assessment methodologies.