Rising seas threaten to sink New Zealand faster than forecast, study finds
- The projections, which found some areas are already sinking three to four millimetres per year, were labelled ‘a bit terrifying’ by one expert
- Substantial parts of New Zealand suffer from sinking land, exacerbating an expected rise in global sea level of at least half a metre by 2100
Government-backed data amassed from around the country’s coastline found some areas are already sinking three to four millimetres per year, speeding up a long-expected threat.
The projections, labelled “a bit terrifying” by one professor, are the result of an extensive five-year, government-funded research programme – NZ SeaRise – that was the combined work of dozens of local and international scientists.
Their prognosis means authorities have much less time than expected to introduce climate adaptation plans, including relocating coastal communities.
NZ SeaRise co-leader Tim Naish, a professor at Wellington’s Victoria University, said while the global sea level is expected to rise about half a metre by 2100, for substantial parts of New Zealand it could be closer to a metre because the land is sinking at the same time.
It is stark news for the capital city, Wellington, which could expect 30 centimetre sea level rise by 2040 – a level that had not been expected before 2060.
With that rate of rise, Wellington residents can expect once-a-century flood damage every year on average.
