North and Baltic Sea coasts increases in storm surges

Impact of extreme storm surges on a European scale

One of the major threats to coastal areas is coastal flooding. It is often caused by extreme events, such as storm surges that can be amplified by climate change. Scientists generated projections on extreme storm surges on a European scale for 2010-2040 and 2070-2100. According to their findings, the North and Baltic Sea coasts show the largest increases in storm surges, especially towards the east. In contrast, southern European coasts can expect minimal change.

KEYWORDS: flood, hazard, climate, storm surges

AREA OF STUDY: European Marine Coastlines

The vurnability of costal areas.

The coastal zone is a region where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs. It is an area of high interest, as more and more of the world’s people live in coastal regions. It hosts important commercial activities and habitats of high socioeconomic value.

Coastal areas are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Any changes in water levels caused by a rise in sea levels and increased storminess can be a threat to human lives and infrastructure.

Therefore, it is of urgency to prepare for the anticipated changes in extreme water levels along Europe. Thus can be achieved by developing prediction models, where scientific data are being compiled and projections can be done.

Results of the study that projects extreme storm surge levels

In this study the scientists used a hydrodynamic model to generate projections of extreme storm surge levels (SSL) along the European coastline.

In this study the scientists used a hydrodynamic model to generate projections of extreme storm surge levels (SSL) along the European coastline. Northern European countries are more likely to be affected by storm surges compared to Southern European Countries. Especially in the North Sea the impact will be substantially higher than the ones along the rest of Europe. Overall, storm surge levels in Europe are projected to increase on average by around 15%.

The future of coastlines

By 2100 under high-emissions scenario and climate change will result in higher seas driven by sea level rise and by increased storminess. The contribution of the latter to the overall increase is likely to exceed 30% of the expected relative sea level rise for 14% of the European coastline.

Such studies can support policy-makers to act towards a timely response to the climate impacts along the European coastline. The results of this study underlines the urgency to enhance current understanding and forecasting capacity of coastal hazards and their impacts such that European policy-makers and relevant authorities can plan appropriate and timely adaptation and protection measures