Meteo-tsunami hazard associated with summer thunderstorms in the United Kingdom

A recent analysis has suggested that meteorological tsunami (meteo-tsunami) have occurred around the coasts of the United Kingdom (UK), generated by a range of source mechanisms, such as seiching related to storm activity in enclosed basins, the arrival of large far-travelled waves generated in the open ocean, and the local generation of large waves near the coast by thunderstorms and squalls. Fatalities have occurred during meteo-tsunami events in the UK, including those of beach users killed by meteo-tsunami arriving unexpectedly at beaches during summer months, when beaches attract large numbers of recreational users, particularly due to thunderstorm-generated meteo-tsunami. This study surveys historic accounts of tsunami-like waves arriving at the coast in association with near-coastal thunderstorms and identifies up to nine meteo-tsunami events that have occurred in the period 1892–1966, up to five of which may have resulted in fatalities. The risk related to such events is discussed and recommends that some measures be made to educate beach users to the meteo-tsunami hazard associated with offshore thunderstorms.