3.7

• What is the current rate of sea level rise in Kiribati?

  Sea levels in Kiribati are rising by 1.2 cm per year, which is four times faster than the global average due to global warming.
• What are the main causes of contemporary sea level rise?

  Contemporary sea level rise is caused by melting polar ice sheets and glaciers, as well as thermal expansion of seawater due to global warming.
• How much is sea level expected to rise by 2100?

  Scientists estimate that by 2100, global sea levels will rise by 30-100 cm
• What could happen to low-lying nations like Kiribati due to sea level rise?

  Low-lying nations like Kiribati are at risk of being submerged, potentially leading to their populations becoming environmental refugees due to forced migration from rising sea levels.
• What effect did the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake have on Banda Aceh, Indonesia?

  The 2004 Boxing Day earthquake caused a tsunami that temporarily flooded Banda Aceh and also caused the Earth's crust in the area to sink, permanently flooding parts of the city.
• What is eustatic change in relation to sea levels?

  Eustatic change refers to global sea level rise or fall. It happens when the sea level itself rises or falls due to factors like the melting of ice sheets or thermal expansion of water.
• How do glacial periods affect sea levels?

  During glacial periods, snow falls and forms ice sheets that store water, causing sea levels to fall. When these ice sheets melt at the end of a glacial period, sea levels rise.
• What is isostatic change in relation to sea levels?

  Isostatic change refers to land rising or falling relative to the sea. This can happen due to the weight of ice sheets during glacial periods (causing subsidence) and the land rising after the ice melts (causing recovery).
• How does isostatic recovery affect land?

  Isostatic recovery happens when the weight of ice sheets melts and reduces pressure on the land, causing the land to rise as it adjusts back to its previous position.
• How do glacial periods affect sea levels?

  During glacial periods, snow falls and forms ice sheets that store water, causing sea levels to fall. When these ice sheets melt at the end of a glacial period, sea levels rise.
• What is an emergent coastline?

  An emergent coastline forms when a fall in sea level exposes land that was previously covered by the sea.
• What are raised beaches?

  Raised beaches are formed when land rises due to isostatic recovery, causing former shoreline platforms and beaches to be elevated above present sea levels. An example is found on the west coast of Scotland.
• What are relic cliffs?

  Relic cliffs are remains of eroded cliff lines found behind raised beaches. They show past marine erosion, with features such as wave-cut notches and caves
• What is a submergent coastline?

  A submergent coastline forms when a rise in sea level floods the coast, submerging the land.
• What are rias?

  Rias are winding, irregular inlets formed when valleys in upland areas are flooded due to rising sea levels. They are commonly found in south-west England.
• What are Dalmatian coasts?

  Dalmatian coasts are similar to rias, where rivers flow almost parallel to the coastline rather than at right angles to it, often due to rising sea levels.
• What are fjords?

  Fjords are steep-sided, U-shaped valleys formed by glacial erosion that are flooded by rising sea levels. An example is Milford Sound in New Zealand.