coastal flooding x

• what is a storm surge?

  a short-term rise in sea level rise caused by high winds pushing towards the coast, and by the low pressure of a storm

  during a tropical cyclone pressure can drop by 100 million millibars, raising the sea level by a metre

  air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure ,the lower air pressure can cause stronger winds to move across the sea and a storm surge may occur
• how are tropical cyclones affected by increases in temperature?

  the intensity/magnitude of the storms is likely to increase

  it may cause storms to grow larger and creates larger storm surges which increase the risk of coastal flooding
• how do increased global temperatures increase sea level?

  through the thermal expansion of water in ocean basins

  sea level will also rise due to an increased volume of seawater brought about by melting ice
• as climate change warms the ocean what else occurs as well as increased magnitude of storms and thermal expansion?

  the strength of the winds will increase, which will produce stronger waves

  these stronger waves will erode the coast more violently, which may break up or wash away embankments that protect low-lying areas, increasing their vulnerability to coastal flooding
• what are the economic impacts of storm surges?

  salt water may contaminate bodies of freshwater, making water unsuitable for farmland irrigation- this is damaging to countries that rely on money for agricultural exports
• how does storm surges affect trade?

  damage to infrastructure such as ports affects trade for both developed and developing countries

  investment in new and expensive infrastructuure that can withstand sea level rises is then needed
• what is a social impact of storm surges?

  flood water can contaminate drinking water sources

  people may be left homeless as flood water can damage buildings and infrastructure - timber expands when standing in water thus buildings may weaken or collapse

  sediment in floodwater may remain as deposits in built-up areas long after floodwaters have receeded
• why are environmental refugees likely to increase?

  as sea levels rise, more people will become environmental refugees

  perhaps due to the land which they live on, or earn a livelihood from becomes submerged, or because of saltwater intrusion

  saltwater can contaminate soil and drinking water supplies