Coral reef islands adjust to rising sea

Abstract

Oceanography Gravel-covered islands that develop naturally atop coral reefs have long provided opportunities for human habitation in the tropics, but there is widespread concern that such communities may be at risk because of sea level rise. However, Masselink et al. suggest that these islands may be able to adjust dynamically to changes in sea level. Numerical modeling of sediment transport on these islands during limited to moderate sea level rise indicated that foundering beneath the waves is not inevitable. Instead, sediment redistribution may simply change island geography and topography. Although the authors note that this process would be societally problematic, it may at least preserve the short-term habitability of coral reef islands. Sci. Adv. 10.1126/sciadv.aay3656 (2020).