Studying the wave climate of a region is crucial for various socio-economic activities such as shipping, coastal infrastructure planning, and environmental conservation efforts. A new study led by CMCC contributes to a better understanding of the spatiotemporal variability of wave fields in the Black Sea region.

In recent years, advancements in numerical modeling techniques coupled with high-resolution atmospheric data have provided valuable insights into the complex dynamics of ocean waves.

Adding to these contributions is a new study led by CMCC that analyzes the past wave climate of the Black Sea from 1988, providing a detailed and consistent understanding of the wave climate in the region for the last 30 years.

The study investigates multiple climate-related topics and, for the first time, identifies in the region the modes of climate variability for waves. Additionally, it assesses the interaction between waves and ocean currents in the area at climatological scale, in a harmonized approach that improves the reliability and comparability of the findings.

The figure summarizes the spatial distribution of statistically significant (p<0.05) trends [cm/year] for mean Significant Wave Height for winter (a), spring (b), summer (c) and autumn (d). Source: Causio et al, 2024

The paper is the first to investigate the components of wave climate variability in the Black Sea region and it enhances understanding of the patterns and changes in climate behavior over time, representing a novel contribution to the field. Additionally, it provides a detailed and comprehensive high-resolution analysis of the wave climate in the Black Sea region, and therefore significant information for various applications such as coastal engineering, marine operations, environmental policies and further climate studies.

“Through this work we had the opportunity to delve into complex climate issues,” says CMCC researcher and lead author of the study Salvatore Causio. “It’s rewarding to contribute to scientific knowledge that could ultimately inform strategies for mitigating climate impacts and fostering resilience in vulnerable regions.”

More information:

Causio S, Federico I, Jansen E, Mentaschi L, Ciliberti SA, Coppini G and Lionello P (2024) The Black Sea near-past wave climate and its variability: a hindcast study. Front. Mar. Sci. 11:1406855. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1406855