Extreme Weather & Ocean Hazards - NEW COURSE

• Explain the dynamics of extreme ocean-atmosphere events, including storms, surges, tsunamis, marine heatwaves, and rogue waves, and their role in shaping coastal and oceanic systems.

• Analyze the physical mechanisms driving low-pressure systems, storm intensification, and coastal flooding.

• Interpret real-time and historical datasets related to oceanic hazards (e.g., hurricane tracks, tsunami propagation, sea surface temperature anomalies) using satellite, remote sensing tools and available field observational datasets.

• Apply numerical modeling techniques to simulate extreme oceanic events and assess their impacts on coastal regions using open-source modeling tools.

• Evaluate the vulnerability of coastal environments and infrastructure to extreme events and assess potential adaptation and mitigation strategies, including engineering and nature-based solutions.

• Discuss the influence of climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme ocean weather events and identify emerging risks in a warming world.

• Assess policy frameworks, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness strategies at the national and international levels, with attention to coastal resilience and community response.

• Synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge from physical oceanography, meteorology, climate science, and coastal engineering to formulate risk assessments and response strategies for ocean hazards.

• Conduct independent investigations into historical extreme events, develop case studies, and communicate findings effectively in both written and oral formats.

• Demonstrate practical skills in using observational, remote sensing, and modeling tools to monitor and predict extreme oceanic and coastal hazards.

• Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology.

• Familiarization with software and numerical tools that simulate and process environmental (met-ocean) data.

• Understand the environmental factors controlling coastal hazards.

• Improve literature search and interpretation of previous findings and results.

• Learn and improve writing of a scientific article.

• Decision-making.

• Improve presentation capabilities in English.

• Working independently.

• Production of new research ideas.

• Respect for the natural environment.

• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.

The course includes the following topics:

1. Introduction to Extreme Ocean-Atmosphere Events

• Overview of extreme weather phenomena

• Ocean’s role in weather and climate systems

• Historical case studies of major ocean-related disasters

2. Storms & Low Pressure Systems

• Δημιουργία, ενίσχυση και εξέλιξη

• Formation, intensification, and movement

• The role of sea surface temperature (SST) and ocean heat content

• Tropical-like storms in the Mediterranean (Medicanes)

• Storm forecasting and modeling (numerical models, satellite observations)

• Impact on coastal communities and ecosystems (storm surges, flooding, erosion)

3. Storm Surges & Coastal Flooding

• Physics of storm surges and wind-driven water movements

• Impact of sea level rise on storm surge risks

• Case studies (Hurricane Katrina, Typhoon Haiyan, Medicanes that affected Greek Seas and Coasts)

• Modeling and prediction of storm surges (presentation-training course of open-source 2-d model)

• Coastal Flooding

4. Tsunamis

• Causes: seismic activity, underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions

• Wave dynamics and propagation

• Early warning systems and mitigation strategies

• Notable events (2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2011 Tōhoku tsunami, examples in the Greek Seas, example with Delft suite for tsunami modeling)

5. Ocean-Atmosphere Teleconnections & Extreme Weather

• El Niño and La Niña effects on global weather

• Role of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in atmospheric circulation

• Tools and datasets used to identify teleconnections (reanalysis, satellite SSTs, indices)

• Influence on storms and heatwaves

• Mediterranean regional focus: impact of teleconnections on Medicanes, droughts, and heatwaves

• Response on biogeochemical processes and parameters

6. Marine Heatwaves & Their Consequences

• Causes and dynamics of oceanic heatwaves

• Response on biogeochemical processes and parameters

• Impact on marine ecosystems (coral bleaching, fishery collapses)

• Long-term climate trends and marine heatwave prediction

• Detection methods and analysis

7. Extreme Wave Events

• Analysis of extreme wave characteristics

• Mechanisms behind rogue wave formation

• Impacts on ships and offshore structures

• Ocean wave forecasting techniques

8. Coastal Erosion During Extreme Events

• Interaction between storms, tides, and coastal geomorphology

• Barrier islands and wetland loss due to extreme weather

• Engineering solutions (seawalls, dune restoration, managed retreat, beach nourishment, NBS)

9. Climate Change & Intensification of Ocean Hazards

• Trends in storm intensity and frequency

• Future projections of extreme weather events

• Risk assessment and adaptation strategies

10. Mitigation, Preparedness, and Policy

• Early warning systems (e.g., NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Wave4us, Poseidon System, AEGIS+, tsunami warning networks)

• Disaster management and emergency response

• Coastal resilience planning and engineering solutions

• Policy implications and international agreements on disaster mitigation

Suggested bibliography

• Lecture slides.

• A series of scientific articles related to the topic covered in the class (examples are uploaded in the eclass of the module).

• Thomson, R. E., & Emery, W. J., 2024. Data analysis methods in physical oceanography. Elsevier.

• Stewart, R. H., 2008. Introduction to physical oceanography (Vol. 65). College Station: Texas A & M University, , book freely available at: http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/ocng_textbook/PDF_files/book.pdf

• Zervakis, V. (2017). Introduction to Dynamical Oceanography, book freely available at eclass repository (in Greek).

• Krestenitis, Y., Kombiadou, C., Makris, C., Androulidakis, I., Karambas, T., 2016. Coastal Mechanics – Marine Environmental Hydraulics. Hellenic Academic Electronic Textbooks and Teaching Aids, www.kallipos.gr, ISBN: 978-960-603-253-0 (in Greek).

• Pugh D.T. 1987. Tides, Surges, and Mean Sea-Level. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

• J. Marshall and R. A. Plumb, 2008: Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics: An Introductory Text, Academic Press.

• Groves, M. (2025). Extreme Weather and Climate Change: A Reference Handbook. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

• Leal Filho, W., Nagy, G. J., Borga, M., Chávez Muñoz, P. D., & Magnuszewski, A. (2020). Climate Change, Hazards and Adaptation Options. Springer International Publishing, book freely available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-37425-9

Related academic journals

• Continental Shelf Research

• Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

• Journal of Geophysical Research

• Journal of Marine Systems

• Natural Hazards

• Progress in Oceanography

• Ocean Dynamics

• Journal of Operational Oceanography

• Coastal Engineering Journal

• Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

• Climate Change