Preface |
This book is made up by the proceedings of the first
EGS Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms, which was held in |
The sequence of the Plinius Conferences is a series
of topical meetings which focus on
specific aspects concerning the study of extremes of natural phenomena. They
are organised among the system of EGS conferences and represent a forum for
in-depth discussion amongst invited scientists of selected topics in the
earth, planetary and solar sciences. The Plinius
Conferences are part of the activities of the European Geophysical Society
IWG on Natural Hazards and the Mediterranean Storms meeting
stimulated a top-level discussion about the meteorological forcing and the
effects over land and sea of the extreme storms in the Mediterranean
environment. |
In the past symposia of the EGS IWG on
Natural Hazards it became apparent that the best approach for the
characterisation of natural extremes requires the interaction of many
traditional disciplines, such as meteorology and hydrology, for example in
case of the evaluation and prediction of extreme floods; and hydrology,
geology and geotechnical engineering for the understanding of landslide
hazard monitoring. The papers presented at the conference and included in
this book provide a comprehensive overview of the many physical processes
involved: they encompass the development of prediction and perception of
large scale atmospheric phenomena, of extreme floods and of diffuse mass
movements. |
The Mediterranean environment provides a unique
example of the coexistence of natural hazards, from rain and sea storms to
floods, landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Large-scale weather
forecasting models are challenged by the complexity of sea and land forms and
the short sea fetches of the Mediterranean basin. Sophisticated nowcasting
techniques and refined downscaling approaches are needed in order to link the
typical morphology and evolution of the Mediterranean cyclones with advances
hydrological schemes. Such interdisciplinary approaches have the potential to
greatly improve rainfall and flood frequency analysis, particularly when special
emphasis is given to the characterisation of extraordinary events by the
support of the meteorological
interpretation. |
Better knowledge of properties of the rainfall
process at aggregated scales will also benefit the interpretation of the
rainfall-induced landsliding processes. Landslides early warning will require
in‑depth analysis of possible rainfall thresholds. |
The
conclusions and recommendations emerged at the meeting are the initial steps
towards a better integration of many disciplines around the study and
characterisation of the complex phenomena related to meteorological and
hydrological extremes. |
The organisation of the book simply reflects the
structure of sessions throughout the meeting: the |
The editors wish to thank the authors for their
active participation and for their contributions. Acknowledgement goes to the
EGS Office and to the organising and financial supporters, in particular the
Department of Environmental Engineering and Physics (DIFA) of the University of Basilicata, the Center
for Environmental Monitoring (CIMA) of the University of Genova, the National
Research Council Institute for Advanced Methods in Environmental Analysis
(IMAAA-CNR) in Tito and the Inter-University Center for Natural Hazards
(CUGRI) of Universities of Salerno and Naples. Financial support for the
publication of this volume was provided by the National Group for
Hydro-Geologic Disaster Prevention (GNDCI) of the CNR. |
All of the participants owe a debt of gratitude to
the staff at the Villa del Mare Hotel ( |
Particular gratitude is expressed to the members of
the Scientific and Organising Committees for their efforts devoted to the
preparation of the workshop structure and sessions. The support of Simona
Pozzati and Katja Gaenger, the untiring efforts of Carmen Gerardi, and the
editorial assistance of Lucia Girolamo made possible a very successful
organisation of the meeting and the publication of the Proceedings. |
|
The editors |