The earth heated up, the tape in the two poles melted, causing the sea level to gradually increase.Obviously, our planet faces significant consequences when the mainland is gradually swallowed by the oceans.
But somewhere off the ocean, there is an island that is reacting very strange to the prospect that the Earth suffered.Instead of being engulfed, the island area increased gradually.It was Tuvalu, an island nation of Oceania.
The beautiful tuvalu island is growing in the right area
On the surface, Tuvalu appears like a very normal island.According to a recent study, the island has really "grown" for decades.
This is a very rare phenomenon, because this area has to endure the phenomenon of sea level rise 2 times higher than global.The water is still rising, the island area increases faster.
But how?In fact, the secret here is because this island is a coral island.Coral growth over time, and it increases the island area.The story of a headache is only the activity of the coral island turning out more intensely than what science still thinks.
"We once thought that the coral reef is still quiet islands, which will be submerged in the water when the sea level rises. But the new evidence is showing the activity of the coral islands is really very exciting, andThey increase the size regularly. "- Excerpt from Paul Kench, co -author of Auckland University (New Zealand).
"What research has found it seems unrealistic, especially when the sea level in the area has increased for half a century. But the more dominant change is the growth ability of Tuvalu, notMust sea water. "
Specifically, researchers from the University of Auckland used images from satellites to monitor 9 coral islands and more than 101 small islands, from 1971 to 2014.
During this time, sea level increased by about 4mm/year, but 9 islands, and more than 3/4 small islands have really grown.A total of 4 decades, Tuvalu's area increased by 2.9%.
However, it should be understood that this does not mean climate change may have ignored these islands.In fact, research authors said climate change is still "one of the biggest threats" to the safety of coral reefs.
Why?Look at the giant coral seam GBR (Great Barrier Reef).This is the largest coral complex in the world, and now it is dying to die from the acid in the sea.Everything is similar to tuvalu if we don't do something to change.
Source: NBC, IFL Science