Despite Sea Level Rise, Some Small Islands Are Expanding
Researchers studying climate change have found that despite sea-levels rising, some islands are growing faster and are able to stay ahead of the ocean. Atolls — islands that are situated within rings of coral reefs — are formed by sediments shed by the reefs around them. Scientists believe that many atolls in the Pacific will disappear in the decades to come because of sea-level rise.
Why This Matters: This research, funded in part by the U.S. Geological Survey, shows that natural systems can adapt in the face of momentous changes — the sea level at Jeh Island is rising much more each year than in most parts of the world.
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