Study Finds Sea Level Rise Acceleration
Posted on January 27, 2006
A BBC article says Australian researchers have discovered the sea level is rising at a quicker pace than previously thought. The researchers found that sea levels increased 19.5cm from 1870 to 2004 but that the sea level increase since 1950 (1.75mm per year) has been greater than the rate of increase from 1870 to 2004 (1.44mm per year). The BBC says the study used data from tide gauges located around the world to come up with the figures.
If the acceleration continues at the current rate, the scientists warn that sea levels could rise during this century by between 28 and 34cm.Particularly at risk from rising sea levels are island nations like those in Micronesia. An excerpt from this Guardian article (from November 24, 2000) explains:Dr John Church, a scientist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation based in Tasmania and an author of the study, said that higher sea levels could have grave effects on some areas.
"It means there will be increased flooding of low-lying areas when there are storm surges," he told the Associated Press.
"It means increased coastal erosion on sandy beaches; we're going to see increased flooding on island nations."
Youlsau Bells of Palau, a chain of 200 islands in Micronesia in the Pacific with a population of 17,000, said causeways connecting the seven inhabited islands had always been dry even at high tide, but now they were covered half the time. Three islands are just above sea level and their 7,000-strong population may have to be evacuated.