Hawaii Area Sinking 40 Times Faster Than Forecast

Among one of the most extraordinary claims of how fast the ocean is rising and claiming land, homes, and business on the water, the most fantastic is that the Pacific is rising 40 times faster in some parts of Hawaii than has been assumed, 

According to Earth.com, “The study was led by researchers at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. The results show that the most vulnerable areas are the low-lying regions that were thought to be at risk much later, particularly urban areas in Oahu.” Oahu has the largest population among the Hawaiian Islands and is home to Honolulu, the state’s largest city.

Miami And Jakarta

The analysis is based on changes in sea levels around the world. First, the oceans are rising, mostly because ice is melting at the Poles. The second is that low-lying areas are sinking, often because of storms that push sections of land further into the water. The new study cites existing problems in Miami, Jakarta, and the Maldives. A forecast is already that two-thirds of Miami will be flooded by 2060.

Satellite Images

The study involved, among other things, satellite images and data for the last two decades. The normal process of flooding in Hawaii is slow movement, and it has gone on for millions of years. The researchers reported, “However, localized spots on Oahu’s south shore present a different narrative, with land sinking at a staggering 40 times faster speed, clocking over 25 millimeters per year – a rate that drastically alters flood risk projections and coastal resilience planning.”

Scientists have not located many similar situations around the globe, if any. They have said parts of ocean shorelines are sinking. In the US, this ranges from Queens to Los Angeles to Miami.

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