Abstract:

The main purpose of this paper, is to study the geomorphological evolution of Meganisi island’s coastal zone and to detect areas vulnerable to coastal erosion.
The geomorphology of the island is effected by the lithological configuration, the tectonic characteristics, the wider seismotectonic status and the sea activity of the area. The wider area is characterized by intense seismicity: strong earthquakes are very frequent (M>6) and from the seismotectonic point of view is very complex. Limestone is the main lithological formation of Meganisi coastal zone. Coastline is steep and straight with morphological slopes ranging from 0%-66%. A big part of the area (40,87%) is of high slope (>20%). A GIS was developed using data deriving from detailed inland and sea fieldwork, aerial photos, satellite images and pre existing maps. Data were analysed statistically and geographically and various
thematic maps were created such as the morphological map, map of vulnerability, etc. Data deriving from this analysis as well as from fieldwork were processed through logical rules in order to locate zones of high erosion risk. Finally, an erosion risk map was developed in order to locate those areas that are vulnerable to future
erosion and to keep attention to them.