Coral islands defy sea-level rise over the past century; records from a central Pacific atoll

The geological stability and existence of low-lying atoll nations is threatened by sea-level rise and climate change. Funafuti Atoll, in the tropical Pacific Ocean, has experienced some of the highest rates of sea-level rise (∼5.1 ± 0.7 mm/yr), totaling ∼0.30 ± 0.04 m over the past 60 yr. We analyze...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geology (Boulder) 2015-06, Vol.43 (6), p.515-518
Main Authors: Kench, P. S, Thompson, D, Ford, M. R, Ogawa, H, McLean, R. F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthozoa
atolls
Avalu Atoll
Boundary conditions
Cenozoic
Climate change
Cnidaria
decadal variations
Environmental geology
floods
Fualefeke Atoll
Funafuti Atoll
geologic hazards
Geomorphology
Holocene
Invertebrata
islands
lagoons
landform evolution
natural hazards
Paava Atoll
Pacific Ocean
preventive measures
Quaternary
reefs
risk management
Sea level
sea-level changes
Sediments
shore features
South Pacific
Teafuafou Atoll
Tepuka Atoll
upper Holocene
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Summary:The geological stability and existence of low-lying atoll nations is threatened by sea-level rise and climate change. Funafuti Atoll, in the tropical Pacific Ocean, has experienced some of the highest rates of sea-level rise (∼5.1 ± 0.7 mm/yr), totaling ∼0.30 ± 0.04 m over the past 60 yr. We analyzed six time slices of shoreline position over the past 118 yr at 29 islands of Funafuti Atoll to determine their physical response to recent sea-level rise. Despite the magnitude of this rise, no islands have been lost, the majority have enlarged, and there has been a 7.3% increase in net island area over the past century (A.D. 1897-2013). There is no evidence of heightened erosion over the past half-century as sea-level rise accelerated. Reef islands in Funafuti continually adjust their size, shape, and position in response to variations in boundary conditions, including storms, sediment supply, as well as sea level. Results suggest a more optimistic prognosis for the habitability of atoll nations and demonstrate the importance of resolving recent rates and styles of island change to inform adaptation strategies.
ISSN:0091-7613
1943-2682
DOI:10.1130/G36555.1