Analysis of Sea Storm Events in the Mediterranean Sea: The Case Study of 28 December 2020 Sea Storm in the Gulf of Naples, Italy

Year: 2021

Authors: Alberto Fortelli; Alessandro Fedele; Giuseppe De Natale; Fabio Matano; Marco Sacchi; Claudia Troise; Renato Somma

Autors Affiliation: Univ Napoli Federico II, Dipartimento Sci Terra, Ambiente & Risorse DiSTAR, Via Cinthia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Ist Nazl Geofis & Vulcanol INGV, Sez Napoli Osservatorio Vesuviano, Via Diocleziano 328, I-80124 Naples, Italy; Consiglio Nazl Ric CNR, Ist Nazl Ott INO, Sede Napoli, Comprensorio Olivetti Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Naples, Italy; Consiglio Nazl Ric CNR, Ist Sci Marine ISMAR, Sede Napoli, Calata Porta di Massa Porto Napoli 80, I-80133 Naples, Italy; Consiglio Nazl Ric CNR, Ist Ric Innovaz & Serv Sviluppo IRISS, Via Guglielmo Sanfelice 8, I-80134 Naples, Italy.

Abstract: The coastline of the Gulf of Naples, Italy, is characterized by a series of infrastructures of strategic importance, including touristic and commercial ports between Pozzuoli to Sorrento, main roads, railways, and urban areas. Furthermore, the Gulf of Naples hosts an intense traffic of touristic and commercial maritime routes. The risk associated with extreme marine events is hence very significant over this marine and coastal area. On 28 December 2020, the Gulf of Naples was hit by an extreme sea storm, with severe consequences. This study focuses on the waterfront area of Via Partenope, where the waves overrun the roadway, causing massive damage on coastal seawall, road edges, and touristic structures (primarily restaurants). Based on the analysis of the meteorological evolution of the sea storm and its effects on the waterfront, we suggest that reflective processes induced on the sea waves by the tuff cliffs at the base of Castel dell?Ovo had an impact in enhancing the local-scale waves magnitude. This caused in turn severe flooding of the roadway and produced widespread damage along the coast. The analysis of the event of 28 December 2020, also suggests the need of an effective mitigation policy in the management of coastal issues induced by extreme sea storm events. Wind-based analysis and prediction of the sea wave conditions are currently discussed in the literature; however, critical information on wave height is often missing or not sufficient for reliable forecasting. In order to improve our ability to forecast the effects of sea storm events on the coastline, it is necessary to analyze all the components of the coastal wave system, including wave diffraction and reflection phenomena and the tidal change. Our results suggest in fact that only an integrated approach to the analysis of all the physical and anthropic components of coastal system may provide a correct base of information for the stakeholders to address coastal zone planning and protection.

Journal/Review: APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL

Volume: 11 (23)      Pages from: 11460-1  to: 11460-28

KeyWords: coastal damage, sea storm, wave motion, fetch, wind event, Mediterranean, Gulf of Naples, metereological monitoria network
DOI: 10.3390/app112311460

Citations: 10
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