Sea Level Rise: A Threat Much More Severe Than Anticipated
It is easy to consider sea level rise as a simple issue: the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps adds water to the oceans, while higher temperatures cause water to expand. But as simple as this may seem, there is a hidden complexity that makes the reality of sea level rise much worse than expected, especially in the Mediterranean. Recent studies have revealed that in some areas, the sea level is rising nearly three times faster than previously thought, and the consequences could be disastrous.
The Hidden Factor: Land Subsidence
Sea level rise is generally measured using tide gauges, which track fluctuations at specific locations, and satellite radar altimetry, which provides a more global perspective.
However, scientists have recently recognized a third factor accelerating this rise: land subsidence.
This phenomenon, which refers to the sinking of the Earth’s surface, is often caused by human activities such as the over-extraction of groundwater. This subsidence, combined with rising sea levels, intensifies the threat to coastal regions.
The Mediterranean: A Region Under Pressure
In a new study conducted by three researchers from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy and Radboud University in the Netherlands, scientists integrated satellite measurements to accurately assess the rate at which land is sinking in Mediterranean coastal areas.
The results are alarming: in some parts of the Mediterranean, the sea level is rising nearly three times faster than in stable areas.
Dr. Antonio Vecchio, lead author of the study from Radboud University, explained the significance of this finding:
« Our analysis shows that due to land subsidence, sea levels in certain Mediterranean areas are rising nearly three times faster than in more stable regions. »
This rapid rise in water levels threatens over 38,500 square kilometers of coastline, which could soon be submerged. Mediterranean coastlines are facing some of the most extreme and rapid effects of climate change. Rising waters will not only affect coastal communities but also damage marine ecosystems, which are essential to the region’s biodiversity.
Source: sain-et-naturel
