Sea level increase

• What are the three types of sea level change

  • Eustatic
  • isosatic
  • tectonic
• Explain the Eustatic sea level change

  Caused due to glacier periods, the last glacier period ended 11,000 years ago. Since then temperature has increased melting ice sea levels are predicted to have rose 125metres, but the rate is increasing due to climate change, and also thermal expansion is occurring

  During glacial periods sea levels decrease due to ice volume being restricted but in phases the ice melts causing volume increase
• What is Isostatic change?

  Localized change caused by the mass of glaciers causes the land to sink, creating local decrease whereas when they melt this is released.

  Such as scotland
• What are Emergent landforms

  Relict Cliff 

  Raised beaches 
• What are sumergent

  Dalmation coasts – Croatia 

  Fjords 

  Example Sognefjorden in Norway 

  Ria – Kingsbury estuary / south England 

  Submergent forests 
• What are environmental refugees?

  People who are forced to migrate due to environmental changes, such as rising sea levels.
• Why are low-lying islands like Kiribati at risk due to rising sea levels?

  They are becoming flooded and could submerge in the next 50 years.
• How does rising sea levels impact freshwater on islands like Kiribati?

  It contaminates freshwater sources, affecting the ability to grow crops.
• What will happen to the population of low-lying islands as a result of rising sea levels?

  They will have to become environmental refugees and migrate.
• What causes more severe tropical storms and storm surges?

  More intense pressure gradients and higher sea levels.
• How do tropical storms and storm surges multiply the danger during rising sea levels?

  The combination of more dangerous storms and severe pressure gradients increases the risk of flooding.
• What does the Stern Review conclude about the world's biggest cities and rising sea levels?

  22 of the world's biggest cities could be threatened by changing sea levels.
• Which major city is mentioned as being at risk due to the weak Thames barrier?

  London, England's financial capital.
• What is the estimated timeframe for the Maldives to become uninhabitable due to rising sea levels?

  By as early as 2030, but definitely by 2070.
• What percentage of the Maldives is estimated to be underwater by 2100?

  77%
• What are some plans to address the consequences of rising sea levels in the Maldives?

  • Short-term better coastal management
  • Natural living shoreline barriers of mangroves
  • Engineering buildings above high sea level
• How does rising sea levels impact water abstraction?

  It causes contamination of water sources, leading to insecurity and the need to move sites.
• What is the relationship between rising sea levels and the occurrence of heavy rain and wind?

  Higher sea levels contribute to more heavy rain and wind events.