Balearic Islands on alert for tsunami risk: Are they prepared to face the threat?

In a scenario marked by uncertainty and concern, the Balearic Islands, especially Ibiza and Mallorca, are facing the looming possibility of a tsunami that could be triggered at any moment. Recent studies and research have revealed that climate change has multiplied the danger of this natural phenomenon in the Mediterranean region, creating an alert and prevention scenario for the authorities and residents of these emblematic islands. Historically, tsunamis have been rare phenomena, however, experts warn that the intensification of climate change is altering this reality. The exponential increase in the risk of tsunamis, the accelerated rise in sea levels, and the arrival of intense hurricanes are some of the direct consequences of this global phenomenon that directly impacts the Mediterranean region and, therefore, the Balearic Islands. The study 'Probabilistic Tsunami in the Mediterranean Sea' has highlighted the imminent danger of a tsunami in the Alboran Sea, an area characterized by high seismic activity that spans from Valencia to Malaga, including the Balearic Islands. In the specific case of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, the risk projections focus on the Averroes marine fault, located in the Alboran Sea, where the possibility of an earthquake generating a tsunami with waves up to six meters high is a looming reality. Spain has a State Plan for Civil Protection against the Risk of Tsunamis that establishes action and alert protocols to address possible events of this nature. The urgency of having a tsunami alert system in the region has been accentuated in light of projections indicating that the probability of a tsunami in the Mediterranean in the next 30 years is close to 100%. In the specific case of the Balearic Islands, the extensive coastline represents an additional challenge in the event of a tsunami, as sudden flooding, strong currents, and the dragging of objects significantly increase the danger of this natural phenomenon in the region. Therefore, the implementation of preventive measures and an effective alert system become essential to protect the population and reduce potential damages. The risk of a tsunami in the Balearic Islands in the next 50 years is considered 'real' according to research, emphasizing the importance of preparation and public awareness on this issue. The experience of past events, such as the 2003 earthquake off the coast of Algeria that generated a tsunami in the western Mediterranean and affected the Balearic Islands, serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of this region to natural phenomena of great magnitude. In this context, collaboration between local, regional, and national authorities becomes essential to ensure an effective and coordinated response in case of emergency. Public awareness, dissemination of accurate information, and promotion of a culture of prevention become fundamental pillars to mitigate the risks associated with a possible tsunami in the Balearic Islands and the entire Mediterranean region. In conclusion, the scenario of a tsunami in the Balearic Islands, especially in Ibiza and Mallorca, presents itself as an unpredictable challenge but no less real. Faced with the growing threat posed by climate change and the multiplication of extreme natural phenomena, preparation, prevention, and rapid response emerge as key tools to address a potential emergency scenario. Public awareness and joint action by society and authorities are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents of these paradisiacal islands in the Mediterranean.