Central Mediterranean is exposed to three potential earthquake-related tsunami sources – indicates the article “Earthquake-generated tsunamis in the Mediterranean Sea: Scenarios of potential threats to southern Italy” published in 2008 on the Journal of Geophysical Research. These are: the Tell system in the Algeria-Tunisia offshore capable of generating earthquakes up to magnitude 7.0, the southern Tyrrhenian Sea thrust system capable of triggering earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and higher, and the Hellenic Arc proven to be capable of generating frequent and occasionally very large earthquakes of magnitude greater than 8.0.

Tectonic map of the Mediterranean basin. Yellow dots indicate seismic events. Color-shaded ribbons highlight the main areas capable of generating tsunamis that pose significant hazard to Mediterranean shore-facing settlements.

For each of the investigated tsunami source zones, researchers simulated possible earthquake-related scenarios leading to tsunami and prepared maps of the maximum wave height, and of tsunami travel time.

Research results indicate that the greatest threat to central Mediterranean European and African coasts would come from earthquakes along the Hellenic Arc source zone. Waves with average maximum height of 1 m or higher are expected along most of southern and eastern Sicily (from Trapani to Messina) and the South-Eastern coasts of the southern Italy peninsula (from Reggio Calabria to Cantanzaro, Taranto, Brindisi and almost Bari). Travel time for waves reaching southern Italy and the south-eastern coasts of Sicily would be between 60-70 min.

Earthquakes along the southern Tyrrhenian source zone could produce low energy tsunamis. They estimated the average maximum wave height is around 0.2 m. Waves of 0.5 m and higher would affect only few localities around the northern coast of Sicily such as Palermo, Trapani, and Milazzo. The average wave travel times to these locations would vary between 5-10 min.

The Algeria-Tunisia offshore source zone can generate tsunamis that would have a great impact on the coasts of Sardinia. The western coast of Sicily would be affected by maximum wave heights in the order of 0.5 m. Wave travel times would be in the order of 40-50 min.

Algeria-Tunisia offshore Source Zone

Southern Tyrrhenian Source Zone

Hellenic Arc Source Zone

General Ahmed Rizk, Director-General of the Palestinian Civil Defence, and General Fraj Al-Louati, Director-General of the Tunisian Civil Protection met in Ramallah on 6 February 2012 and signed an important cooperation agreement in the field of disaster risk reduction and civil protection.

The meeting in Ramallah was hosted by the Palestinian Minister of Interior, Dr. Said Abu Ali, and was also attended by the Deputy Palestinian Ambassador to Tunisia, the Assistant Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority and the Tunisian Ambassador in Ramallah.

In his opening speech, Dr. Abu Ali highlighted the importance for the Palestinian Authority of this cooperation agreement which establishes the key principles of mutual civil protection cooperation among two countries. He stressed that similar agreements should be concluded also for other sectors of the Palestinian-Tunisian cooperation. "Despite the critical situations of both our countries – he said – we want to reaffirm the necessity of trans-national cooperation for reinforcing the safety of our people and protecting them from all sort of risks".

General Al-Louati expressed sincere greetings from the Tunisian President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Interior to the Palestinian Authorities and stressed the long standing friendship and collaboration among the two countries. He added that the signature of this agreement marks an important milestone for the two national civil protection systems which are being upgraded to reach the same level of effectiveness than the ones of more developed nations.

The signed agreement concerns bilateral technical cooperation in civil protection and disaster prevention, opens the way to increased partnership building in disaster risk reduction and prepare the ground for enhanced mutual relations and facilitation of provision of assistance in case of disasters or serious accidents.

The Cairo based World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean published in 2007 the WHO e-Atlas of disaster risk for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Volume 1: Exposure to natural hazards. The e-Atlas uses geographic information systems and various disaster models to assist disaster management decision-makers, particularly those in the countries of this Region regularly experiencing disasters, to reduce health risks to vulnerable populations due to emergencies and health crises.

This technical report on water scarcity and drought management in the Mediterranean and the Water Framework Directive was prepared by the Mediterranean Water Scarcity and Drought (WS&D) Working Group in the framework of the MED-EU Water Initiative / Water Framework Directive (WFD) Joint Process.

The European-Mediterranean Seismic Hazard Map, in terms of peak ground acceleration with a 10% chance of being exceeded in 50 years for stiff soil condition, was developed within the framework of the European Seismological Commission and UNESCO. The map received the Award for Excellence in Cartography of the International Cartographic Association, at the 21st International Cartographic Conference, 2003.

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