Pacific Isles Growing, Not Sinking

Not long ago, we brought you a story about a Pacific Island which had finally submerged, and reported that scientists were concerned that global warming was set to sink many more like it. In our defense, we merely regurgitated the facts we read; The OddBlog has no scientists on-hand. Now, many outlets are also retracting that part of the story, as new research from different scientists shows the majority of islands in the area are actually growing, as waters recede, not sinking.

The isles of the Federated States of Micronesia are among those which are growing, thanks to the build-up of coral debris and sediment. The scientists involved predict that these islands will still be there a century from now, though none could say if they will be inhabitable.

The study includes 27 islands and spans 60 years. Most of the islands in the study have remained stable, while others have grown - 80% of them, in fact. Yet, the researchers also said residents should not be lulled into thinking they are completely safe, as global warming is causing area waters to rise, and coastal erosion remains a threat.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010