Written by Maia Zammit, edited by Miguel Azzopardi and AnneMarie Gonzi
The probability of a tsunami in Malta is highly likely within the next few decades. It won’t wait for anyone, and the Maltese Islands need to be prepared for anything.
Rising sea levels are posing a threat to millions of people around the world. Scientific evidence indicates that the temperature in the Mediterranean Sea has been increasing 20% quicker than any other sea and ocean due to global warming.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that there is a 100% chance of a Mediterranean tsunami occurring in the next three decades. This is already being witnessed in many other places already affected by rising sea levels including Greece, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Somalia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Australia. For these countries, continuing with our current trajectory basically means that these countries will cease to exist.
One of many effects of a tsunami on the Maltese Islands is that, for example, aquifers and subterranean infrastructure will be jeopardised while anything below the level of the Valletta Bastions will sink. It is also highly probable that Msida, Sliema and St. Julians as well as Ċirkewwa will flood while Għadira will come close to splitting the main island in two.
Furthermore, the Blue Lagoon in Comino will most likely be completely lost and bays such as the Santa Marija and San Niklaw bays will expand inwards due to the rising sea levels. On the other hand, Gozo will not be as badly impacted, as only a small number of bays would be affected. However, the inland sea in Dwejra will still move inbound.
What can be done to prepare ourselves
As a country that is at high-risk of a tsunami occurrence, Malta must improve upon its education on the subject of climate change. As it stands, education on climate change and its effects are sub-par and does not do enough to educate young people on the severity of it. Thus, Malta must put in greater efforts in its education of this subject, focusing on teaching young children and teenagers on understanding climate change, how to help reduce it with their own small efforts and how best to prepare for climate catastrophes.
All children need to be properly thought on how to shelter in place till the earthquake passes and then seek their way to higher ground away from coastal areas to avoid the walls of water the tsunami triggers.
Countries which have already experienced earthquakes and tsunamis have also learned that better building codes can save lives and prevent damage.
What action is being taken
The Maltese islands are currently not equipped with a national tsunami warning centre.
Malta will join six other Mediterranean countries through a 30-month EU funded project called CoastWAVE identifying localities which need to be tsunami-ready, culminating in the installation of a permanent tsunami-alerting system.
In the case of Malta, Marsaxlokk has been appointed as a case study to become the first ‘Tsunami ready’ area, carrying out its first tsunami drill last November. To be tsunami ready, it needs to satisfy twelve key indicators such as hazard preparedness and response.
Malta is also preparing to set up activities that will lead to a national tsunami-ready plan. UNESCO also aims to evaluate local tsunami response plans and improve regional coordination.
As a nation we need to recognise that rising sea-levels are an ongoing threatening reality which needs more awareness. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away and every one of us has an obligation to support initiatives to reduce the impact of climate change while also learning from the mistakes of other countries already hit by tsunamis.
Therefore, it is crucial that such threats to our livelihoods are taken seriously, by taking the correct steps to prevent and mitigate the problems that could arise from being unprepared for such extreme instances. Being prepared for such events means the difference between saving lives and losing them; the government must no longer delay in addressing this problem.
Event Details
On the 23rd of July, XR Malta will be hosting a pub quiz at The Anvil Pub, all about tsunamis and their impact on our environment and lives. It is a great way to learn more about the issue whilst playing fun games to win a great prize!
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