1. Project MESCAT (MEditerranean Sea-level Change And Tsunamis)
A step forward in Mediterranean marine science and sea-level related risk prevention

2. Motivation (1/2) Sea level is a key variable in the region:
Affected by climate change, will have an enormous impact on economy and population
Risk of Tsunami
XXI century Sea level change in the Mediterranean and its components
Tsunami caused by the Argel earthquake, 21st May 2003

3. Motivation (2/2)
Monitor sea level is neither expensive or extremely complex, but…
strong and unacceptable North-South unbalance!

4. Our proposal to solve it: MESCAT
The gap
Present situation:
Impossible to carry out the required sea level monitoring
Insufficient knowledge, with the required spatial detail, of sea level evolution under climate change scenarios
We need:
To complete the Med sea tide gauge network
To forecast with sufficient spatial detail future sea level changes and its impacts
To build an international network of institutions and persons to work on this problem
Our proposal to solve it: MESCAT

5. MESCAT objectives Complete the Mediterranean tide gauge network
Modular approach: only interested actors
Distributed approach: responsibility from the first day to local technicians
Research on future sea level change, country by country
Study sea level impact in pilot areas

6. Benefits
Tide gauge network will be used to describe sea level characteristics and dynamics in the region
Highly decentralized network will promote local capacity building
Updated estimations of sea level along the 21st century for all Mediterranean countries. Important for tourism, harbours…
Real-time measurements for the Tsunami warning system and other applications.
Integrated in: MonGOOS, EMODNET, NEAMTWS, MedCLIVAR…
Budget
Modular… example with 8 station, climate change estimation and 1 impact study: euros

7. The team is ready and we are looking forward to start doing the job
Conclusions
MESCAT (or a very similar project) is a NEED in the area
The cost/benefit ratio is extremely low
Capacity building and creation of a network of technicians and researchers is in the core of the project
The team is ready and we are looking forward to start doing the job