Abstract
The past geomorphic activity of flash floods in the Eastern Mediterranean has been poorly understood. Despite the general increase in mean annual temperature and decrease in annual precipitation totals, intense rainfall during strong cyclogenesis is still expected under a changing climate. The aim of this study was to identify past flash flood events on the island of Crete (Greece) to (i) create a regional chronology of flash floods using dendrogeomorphic dating and (ii) describe climate triggers responsible for the most distinct events. The sampling of 398 trees and shrubs from eight catchments enabled the reconstruction of 76 flash flood events over 43 different years. The length of the chronologies ranged from 27 to 125 years, and the most distinct events were recorded in the 1993–94, 2000–01, and 2006–07. Significant differences (p < 0.00001) in the ages of sampled trees and the bark thickness among the catchments resulted in different lengths of chronologies and numbers of identified events. Records from selected rain gauges were used to identify precipitation patterns associated with flash floods. The low propagation velocities of cyclones originating south and west of Crete characterised the most distinct flash flood events, based on synoptic scale analyses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
