Surprisingly, despite catastrophic forecasts to the contrary, almost a thousand low-lying tropical islands are actually expanding in size.
Atolls are low-lying islands that evolved on coral reefs; for a long time, it was believed that these islands would be destroyed when climate change became a primary worldwide concern. The claim was these geographical anomalies were in danger of being completely submerged by the ocean as a result of the ongoing rise in sea levels.
But that’s not what is happening. Scientists examining aerial photos found something unexpected.
Recent research on 184 islands in the Maldives painted a complicated picture: Half of the islands showed signs of erosion, while the other half remained mainly unaltered.
Surprisingly, several islands even exhibited signs of expansion.
Scientists still don’t understand the causes of this occurrence, especially the scientists who have been saying that oceans are rising to the point where Florida may be completely submerged.
A group of scientists just installed cameras and sensors on an island in the Maldives, turning it into a research center to comprehend how the shoreline is molded and extended by the ever-changing interplay between sand and waves.
Atolls captivate scientists for reasons beyond the picturesque picture of swaying palms and perfect beaches. Their varied shapes and sizes result from their complex geological past, which includes volcanic beginnings and the later formation of coral reefs.
Corals colonize submerged sides and develop upwards, finally forming a ring-shaped reef enclosing a lagoon as a result of tectonic plate movement and volcanic subsidence. The islets that are typical of atolls are formed when the exposed reef is swept away by wind and waves, which dump sand and debris on top.
Atoll dynamics are a hot topic in scientific circles. Aerial and satellite photos are helping scientists determine how the size and form of the island have changed over the years.