Marine storms in coastal tourist areas of the Canary Islands

Abstract

The small island areas oriented to coastal tourism are highly vulnerable to marine storms, given the fluctuation of this economic sector and the increase in its exposure due to the increasing anthropogenic presence on the coastline. In this context, the storms between 1958 and 2017 are studied here in the most important tourist enclaves of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, located in the municipalities of Arona and Adeje (SW of Tenerife) and in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán (S-SW of Gran Canaria). In order to perform the analysis, wave data from State Ports (Spain) (SIMAR-44 nodes, Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda of Spain) are used. A statistical study of the phenomena can help establish a threshold for the identification of a marine storm based on a significant wave height (Hs) of 2.7 m in Arona and Adeje and 1.7 m in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán. The application of this threshold identified 144 episodes in the SW of Tenerife and 154 in the S-SW of Gran Canaria. Their behavior is examined from, on the one hand, the duration, seasonality, type of waves and degree of severity that characterizes them; and, on the other, from the state of the atmosphere that concurs in its genesis by means of the Wetterzentrale synoptic maps. Finally, a first assessment of the effects of these stormy phenomena is made using local press reports on drowning, damage to urban furniture and port infrastructures and loss of sand on the beaches.

Disaster and risk management in outdoor recreation and tourism in the context of climate change

“…The increased incidence of typhoons or tropical storms due to climate change in coastal destinations obviously puts tourists at risk. Research has shown that cruise ships and airplanes were both negatively affected by the incidence of hurricanes at popular tourist destinations, such as the Caribbean and the Canary Islands (Carballo Chanfón et al , 2021; Yanes Luque et al , 2021). In addition, changes in climate, for instance increased temperature, may also result in conditions like intense heat waves that reduce comfort for tourists (Matzarakis et al , 2013).…”

Maritime Climate in the Canary Islands and its Implications for the Construction of Coastal Infrastructures

“…This means that more directions must be considered to construct a port in the Canary Islands, than for a port on the continent. In addition, when sizing a structure subject to wave action, it is necessary to know or estimate the significant wave height associated with a certain probability of exceedance within the lifespan of the infrastructure [5]. To determine its design height, it is therefore necessary to model the statistical behaviour of values of significant wave height series that may put the structure at risk.…”

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment in Mangrove-Dependent Communities of Manoka Island, Littoral Region of Cameroon

“…In coastal areas in particular, previous studies identified some potential biogeophysical hazards to which coastal areas are exposed, including floods, strong winds, coastal erosion, increased salinity of estuaries, alteration of the quality of water available in aquifers, and the disappearance of certain “wet” zones and low-lying coastal fringes [ 4 ]. Storms affecting daily life and the economy in marine and coastal areas were also pointed out by some researchers [ 5 ], calling for better knowledge about the vulnerability and mitigation or adaptation measures that reduce their impact.…”