Τμήμα Ωκεανογραφίας και Θαλασσίων Βιοεπιστημών

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Extreme Weather & Ocean Hazards - NEW COURSE
School:
Of the Environment
Academic Unit:
Department of Marine Sciences
Level of studies:
Undergraduate
Course Code:
191ΘΔ47Ε
Semester:
G
Course Title:
Extreme Weather & Ocean Hazards – NEW COURSE
Independent Teaching Activities
Lectures
Weekly Teaching Hours
3
Independent Teaching Activities
Labs
Weekly Teaching Hours
2
Credits
5
Course Type:
Specialised general knowledge
Prerequisite Courses:
Officially, there are not prerequisite courses. However, the student is required to have a basic background in Physics, Mathematics, and Physical Oceanography. Ιt is therefore recommended that he/she has successfully completed the modules: ‘Physics’, ‘Mathematics (I & II)’, ‘Descriptive Physical Oceanography’, ‘Introduction to Dynamical Oceanography’, ‘Ocean and Climate Change’, and ‘Coastal Management’.
Language of Instruction and Examinations:
English. In the case of ERASMUS+ students absence, the class will be done in Greek.
Is the course offered to Erasmus students:
Yes
  • (2) Learning Outcomes
  • Learning Outcomes

  • 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.

  • General Competences

  • 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.

  • (3) Syllabus

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

  • (4) Teaching and Learning Methods - Evaluation
  • Delivery:
  • Use of Information and Communication Technology:
  • Teaching Methods:
Activity Semester workload
Lectures
39
Lectures
26
Independent study
25
Practical project
30
Fieldwork / laboratory practice
2
Presentation of the final project
3
Course total
125
  • Student Performance Evaluation:
  • (5) Attached Bibliography

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

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