Only Almuñécar and Polopos on the Costa Tropical have Contingency Plans in case of a tsunami.

In June, 2023, the provincial representative for the Junta de Andalucía began to urge coastal municipalities to begin drawing up contingency plans in case of seaquakes or tsunamis, if you prefer. Previously the Junta had carried out an evaluation of such risks (thus being a pioneer in Spain in this matter).

The Andalusian coastline lies between two fault lines that could cause an underwater seismic movement of a magnitude that could prevent a tsunami; one of which is out in the Atlantic and the other in the Mediterranean. For example, a seaquake in 1755 not only destroyed Lisbon in Portugal but also devastated the western Andalusian coastline; it produced a wave 15 metres high that caused over 2,000 deaths.

Since then, of course, the coastline has become much more heavily populated so such a seismic movement under the seabed would potentially cause a lot more damage and deaths.

Should there be such an event under the Mediterranean, it would take between 10 and 30 minutes to hit the Costa Tropical. Consequently the Junta established 66 safe zones along the Costa Tropical which the following municipalities have to ratify: Albuñol, Almuñécar-La Herradura, Gualchos, Lújar, Motril, Polopos, Rubite, Salobreña, Sorvilán and Torrenueva Costa, all of whom should have drawn up contingency plans. However, some of them have complained that they do not have the resources to be able to.

Almuñécar, Salobreña and Motril would be the most affected seaside towns. Punta de la Mona would protect to some extent La Herradura and Almuñécar on either side but most of Herradura bay would be hit from Río Jate to the Playilla. Over in Almuñécar, Rincón de Chinas and Puerta del Mar would get hammered. As far as Salobreña is concerned, from the Playa de la Caletilla to the Río Guadalfeo river mouth is the high-risk area.

(News/Noticias: Almunecar/Herradura/Salobreña, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)