Solomons sinking: Five Pacific reef islands swallowed by rising sea levels
Studying the relationship between sea level rise and wave exposure in the “global sea-level rise hotspot,” a team of Australian researchers found rising waters are taking a significant toll on the islands.
“At least 11 islands across the northern Solomon Islands have either totally disappeared over recent decades or are currently experiencing severe erosion,” according to the study published in Environmental Research Letters.
Focusing on two areas with the highest density of exposed reef islands, two researchers, Isabel and Roviana, examined 33 islands using aerial and satellite imagery dating from 1947 to 2014.
Their findings confirm anecdotal accounts coming from scientists and locals of the islands’ extreme shoreline changes over the past decade.
“Shoreline recession at two sites has destroyed villages that have existed since at least 1935, leading to community relocations,” the study said.
The study also warns that Taro, the capital of Choiseul Province, is set to become the first provincial capital in the world to relocate its residents and services due to the threat of rising sea levels.
Researchers found rates of shoreline recession were significantly higher in areas exposed to high wave energy than more sheltered regions.
“This provides a bit of an insight into the future,” senior research fellow at the University of Queensland and lead author, Simon Albert, told AFP. “There’s these global trends that are happening but the local responses can be very, very localized.”
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