Mapping Pacific Island Flooding

A satellite image of a Kiribati atoll. NASA Earth Observatory.
NASA Earth Observatory

Pacific nations like Fiji, Kiribati and Tuvalu will face at least 15 cm of sea level rise over the next 30 years, according to a NASA analysis. “In addition to the overall analysis, the agency’s sea level team produced high-resolution maps showing which areas of different Pacific Island nations will be vulnerable to high-tide flooding—otherwise known as nuisance flooding or sunny day flooding—by the 2050s. Released on Sept. 23, the maps outline flooding potential in a range of emissions scenarios, from best-case to business-as-usual to worst-case.” [Universe Today]