A Seychelles Shoreline Resists the Rising Seas

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By Caroline Hasler, Eos/AGU. 

Excerpt: With global sea levels projected to rise 44 centimeters (17 inches) by the end of the century, atolls such as Aldabra—a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in Seychelles and home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises—may be at risk of sinking into the ocean. A new study, however, shows that despite consistently rising sea levels, most of Aldabra’s shoreline hasn’t changed since 1960. ...An atoll forms when corals attach to the margins of a volcanic island or platform in the ocean. Over time, the volcano is eroded and subsides into the sea, leaving a ring-shaped reef. Winds and waves deposit crushed coral from surrounding reefs on top of the ring, ultimately forming islands that rise above sea level. ...“Our research shows that Aldabra’s resilience to sea level rise is likely linked to its high protection status. This serves as a crucial lesson, especially now, when a significant tourism development within the Aldabra group of islands just started,” Constance wrote.... 

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