Numerical and geomorphic approach to the characterization of tsunami deposits on the southern coast of Mallorca (western Mediterranean)

Tsunami blocks deposits offer insights into past seismic activities and their coastal impacts. These deposits feature unique anomalous boulder placements, and microfossils indicating sudden marine incursions. Studies of tsunami boulders globally, from the Mediterranean to the Pacific, help reconstruct historical tsunami frequency, magnitude, and effects, extending understanding beyond written records. Analyzing tsunami boulders aids in refining models predicting future tsunami risks. However, distinguishing tsunami from storm deposits on cliffs is debated, as similar features can arise from both. This controversy necessitates a multi-disciplinary approach, combining geomorphological data, historical tsunami records, and modern modeling to accurately identify tsunami boulders emplacement and deposition. This study focuses on cliff-top boulder deposits at the southern cliff coast of Mallorca Island. Preliminary results demonstrate that the formation mechanism of the cliff-top boulder deposits in the southern part of Mallorca is directly related to the approach of tsunami waves, supporting the previous findings based on morphological and sedimentological features.