Supervisors info:
Τριανταφύλλου Μαρία, Καθηγήτρια, Γεωλογίας& Γεωπεριβάλλοντος, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
According to the existing literature tsunami waves have been observed in many coastal areas of East Mediterranean, both in historical time and in the instrumental period. The present Thesis focuses on: (1) to review the documentation of historical tsunamis in the East Mediterranean region, (2) to compile a new parametric and improved catalogue of tsunamis in the region, (3) to select and study three coastal areas where there are several historical, geological and archaeological data documenting palaeotsunamis, and (4) to propose the geo-environmental development of the three selected areas.
Chapter 1 describes the basic mechanisms of tsunami generation on a global scale and the devastating effects of large tsunamis on the human and natural environment. The various observations documenting the existence of past tsunamis are also reviewed with the presentation of characteristic examples from the eastern Mediterranean region.
Chapter 2 is devoted to the analysis methods and the data used in the present study (databases, literature, new field geological observations). In addition, a new improved parametric catalogue of tsunamis in the eastern Mediterranean, which includes 219 tsunami events, was compiled. The new tsunami catalogue is given in the Appendix at the end of the study. From this new catalogue three coastal areas were selected to study: (1) ancient Phalasarna in W. Crete, (2) Rhodes, and (3) SW Kourion in Cyprus.
Chapter 3 emphasizes on the historical, geological and archaeological evidence that support the documentation of palaeotsunami events in the three study areas. Moreover, geological observations collected in Phalasarna and Rhodes during scientific field trips performed in 2016 and 2014, respectively, are descripted and documented in a series of photographs. Namely, these observations concern to (1) co-seismic coastal uplifts that very likely caused tsunamis in Phalasarna and Rhodes, and (2) tsunami sediment deposits in Phalasarna.
In Chapter 4, the theoretical background which is necessary for understanding the implementation of Internet GIS (Web GIS) applications is presented. New thematic maps are produced by using data from the new tsunami catalogue produced in Chapter 2. These maps, as well as photo galleries and various geological, historical and archaeological evidence are presented as examples of how such material would be useful for the development of a Web GIS system.
Chapter 5 examines the geo-environmental development of the selected study areas and suggests appropriate ways for tourist exploitation, including Web GIS applications.
The Conclusions of the study are summarized in the last Chapter.