First NEAM Webinar on Non‑Seismic Tsunamis
On 27 November 2025, experts from across the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and connected seas (NEAM) gathered for a regional online webinar on “Tsunamis Generated by Non-Seismic Sources.”
Hosted by the Tsunami Resilience Section of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the webinar showcased emerging insights into tsunamis triggered by volcanic eruptions, landslides, and atmospheric disturbances. Such tsunamis are not caused by subduction zone earthquakes and thus pose a challenge to current tsunami warning capabilities, i.e., they pose significant risks to coastal communities across the NEAM region.
More than 70 participants joined the discussions, reflecting strong regional interest and growing recognition of these emerging risks.
Moderated by Programme Specialist Denis Chang Seng, the event featured 12 internationally recognised experts who shared in-depth perspectives and cutting-edge research on how non-seismic tsunamis form, propagate, and challenge existing early-warning systems.
Speakers included:
- Dr Raphaël Paris
- Dr Roger Urgeles
- Dr Carl Bonnevie Harbitz
- Dr Domenico Mangione
- Dr Clea (Lumina) Denamiel
- Prof Paraskevi Nomikou
- Dr Alessandro Tadini
- Dr Marinos Charalampakis
- Dr Denis Chang Seng
- Dr Rachid Omira
- Dr Fabrizio Romano
- Bernardo Aliaga Rossel, Head of the IOC Tsunami Resilience Section
Their contributions covered recent advances in understanding how non-seismic tsunamis are generated and the challenges they pose for early-warning systems and coastal risk reduction in the NEAM region.
The webinar marked an important step toward strengthening scientific cooperation and enhancing resilience to complex tsunami hazards.
All presentations from the webinar are now available for download.