The discovery of extensive landslide scars in the southern Baltic Sea during the Swedish Geological Survey’s sea floor mapping has raised questions regarding the timing and triggering factors of landslide events. The primary goal of the study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis regarding the areal extent and timing of submarine landslides, with focus on their potential to trigger tsunamis that potentially impact coastal regions. The research draws inspiration from historical events such as the Storegga slide off the coast of Norway ca. 8150 years ago which resulted in a tsunami that propagated across vast areas, leaving notable geological traces. By examining evidence from the Baltic Sea region, the study aims to shed light on the potential occurrence of tsunamis in this previously unexplored context. Various indicators, including disrupted stratigraphic offshore sediment profiles, sudden and rapid sea level rise, and the abrupt inundation of Mesolithic settlements, suggest that a significant event in the region have occurred in the past.
Considering ongoing global warming and anticipated rises in sea levels, the southern Baltic Sea, lacking post-deglaciation land uplift, is particularly vulnerable to such changes. In essence, this research not only contributes to a deeper understanding of geohazards in the Baltic Sea but also holds implications for coastal infrastructure planning in the face of climate change and the imperative need for sustainable mitigation strategies.