“Numerical Study of Balearic Meteotsunami Generation and Propagation under Synthetic Gravity Wave Forcing” by M. Licer, B. Mourre, C. Troupin, A. Krietemeyer, A. Jansà and J. Tintoré, published in the journal Ocean Modelling

A collaboration between scientists from SOCIB, National Institute of Biology (Slovenia) and the University of Balearic Islands published a new scientific study analyzing the behaviour of balearic meteotsunamis ("rissagas") through the use of numerical simulations.

Using artificial air pressure waves to investigate generation and propagation processes over the continental shelves, the study shows how the amplitude of the rissaga in Ciutadella depends on air pressure wave direction, speed and trajectory. The Menorca Channel is demonstrated to be the key amplification region determining meteotsunami intensity. Northern and southern Mallorca shelves merely guide meteotsunamis into the Channel but do not significantly contribute to the wave amplitude in Ciutadella. This fact poses a serious challenge for early-warning alert systems in case of small scale pressure perturbations occurring exclusively over the Channel or travelling from the South-West but being too localized to be detected by available air pressure sensors over Mallorca Island.

This modelling study is part of the effort aimed to improve the Balearic Rissaga Forecasting System implemented at SOCIB - BRIFS.

Reference: Matjaž Ličer, Baptiste Mourre, Charles Troupin, Andreas Krietemeyer, Agusti Jansá, Joaquín Tintoré. Numerical study of Balearic meteotsunami generation and propagation under synthetic gravity wave forcing, Ocean Modelling, Volume 111, March 2017, Pages 38-45, ISSN 1463-5003, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.02.001.