Underwater cultural heritage risk assessment related to mean and extreme storm events: A modelling case study in the Bay of Cadiz

Abstract

Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) risk assessment due to mean and extreme storms was conducted at Bucentaure and Fougueux shipwreck sites. Storms representative of mean and extreme conditions were simulated using numerical modeling tools. Temporal series of sea level, waves, fraction breaking and maximum bed shear stress were obtained at the studied sites. The type of sediment transport and the hypothetical critical size of an archaeological object to be moved was established. From our results it may be inferred that mean and extreme storms are a greater threat for UCH at the Fougueux site.