Israel needs to begin preparations for the possible impact of a major tsunami, the deputy head of the National Security Council emphasized during a meeting with emergency agencies and multiple government ministries on Wednesday.
Tsunamis have struck Israel in the past, and experts warn they will occur again. While it is impossible to predict when and where the next tsunami will hit or the extent of flooding it may cause, the likelihood increases during periods of heightened seismic activity, such as the recent tremors in Greece.
In the Santorini Islands, thousands of small earthquakes recorded in recent days have raised concerns that a major earthquake could be imminent, potentially triggering a tsunami in the Mediterranean.
Fortunately, Israel is part of a regional tsunami warning system, which can issue alerts as soon as a tsunami wave is detected. The country also has tsunami sensors installed at various locations along the coast.
Understanding the tsunami threat
Tsunamis are a series of very long waves, typically caused by an earthquake. When these waves reach shallow waters, they can rise significantly and strike the shore with tremendous force.
Tsunami waves can continue to arrive for hours, and the first wave is not necessarily the largest or the most destructive.
Flooding on land can last from a few hours to several days. In the event of a tsunami warning, coastal residents should follow evacuation routes mapped out by local authorities. Cities such as Haifa have developed evacuation plans with clear signage directing residents to safe locations. Officials advise residents to evacuate on foot rather than by car to keep roads clear for emergency responders.
The Home Front Command urges families to prepare by discussing the possibility of a tsunami, creating an emergency plan, and ensuring each member knows what to do in case of danger. Familiarizing oneself with local evacuation plans and identifying the nearest escape routes from home or work can be life-saving.Seismic activity and Israel’s tsunami preparedness
Ariel Heimann, a senior geologist at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), addressed concerns about a potential tsunami following the recent seismic activity in Greece.
“Approximately 2,000 earthquakes have occurred in Santorini in the past week, with the strongest measuring between 4 and 5.3 in magnitude, including 24 in the past 24 hours. These earthquakes result from the collision of the African and European tectonic plates, a phenomenon that also leads to volcanic eruptions,” he explained.
Heimann noted that “such a cluster of earthquakes could precede a major earthquake that may happen soon.
However, there is also a considerable possibility that after a period of such seismic activity, the phenomenon will subside, and calm will return.”
While the situation warrants attention, Heiman reassured that Israel is about 1,200 km from Santorini, meaning even a strong earthquake there would not be felt—or if it were, it would not cause damage. However, since the epicenters of these earthquakes are in the sea, a strong tremor could generate tsunami waves that might reach Israel’s coast.
“It takes time for a tsunami wave to travel across the Mediterranean, and even if an earthquake triggers one, there would be sufficient time to issue a warning before it arrives. Therefore, we must be alert but not alarmed. This is an opportunity to remember that a major earthquake in Israel is not a question of if but rather when, and it is crucial that we prepare accordingly for this threat,” he said.