The Inundation of North American Coasts - Essay Example

The Inundation of North American Coasts Introduction Coastal inundation refers to the flooding of low-lying land that is dry most of the times; it emanates from weather conditions that may occur along the coasts, rivers that border the coastal regions, as well as along estuaries. The inundation along coastal regions emanates from the storms that may entail hurricanes, which tend to bring strong winds accompanied by heavy rains. One of the most common forms of coastal inundation is the tsunami, which emanates from volcanic eruptions or earthquakes in the sea. In most cases, coastal inundation occurs when storm surge and high tides are experienced concurrently. During coastal inundation, areas nearing the meeting points of creeks and rivers tend to be more susceptible since high seas can lead to the backing up of rivers. Coastal inundation is also accompanied by rising sea levels, which may lead to high intensity storms in the future (Spaulding 588). Causes of Coastal Inundation Several factors can be attributed to be the causes of coastal inundation; one of the main causes of coastal inundation is storm surge. Storm surge details the rise of water abnormally as a result of a storm that may be above the wave conditions that have been predicted. A combination of astronomical tide and storm surge leads to storm tide in the North American Coasts. Storm surge contributes to coastal inundation since it leads to the rise in water level. The rise in the level of water leads to flooding in the coastal areas. A storm surge may emanate from low atmospheric pressure that may emanate from hurricanes (Spaulding 588). Another notable cause of coastal inundation includes large waves that may be experienced in the coastal region. These waves may be caused by local winds or they may emanate from storms that occur from a distance. The waves lead to a rise in the water level, thus causing devastating effects of floods on the land adjacent to the North American Coast. The inundation of the North American Coasts is also caused by wave set-up. This takes place when the average sea level rises, especially in the zone referred as the surf zone. The other cause of coastal inundation includes the flooding of rivers as a result of rain. The flooding of rivers as a result of rain increases the severity of the flood. Seasonal cooling and heating of the oceans can also be referred as another cause of coastal flooding; this is because such variations contribute to high levels of water in the sea (Spaulding 590). Inland floods can also cause coastal inundation; these floods take occur during a fall in the moderate precipitation for few days. It also occurs when there is a reduction in intense precipitation over a short period, as well as when there is an overflow of a river. Shallow coastal flooding can also be regarded as another cause of coastal inundation. This refers to a form of flooding that takes place in coastal areas that are low lying. These areas may experience floods when the tides are high (Spaulding 591). Predicted Sea Level Rise In the next century, it is predicted that there will be high sea level rise that may have a significant impact on some regions while other regions may not be significantly affected. Based on the predicted rise in the sea level, there will be high rates of sea rise in parts of the Pacific. On the contrary, some parts of the polar region will have a decline in the sea levels. Experts suggest that the rate at which the land is subsiding will have an impact on the rise in sea level. The rate at which land is subsiding can be attributed to the melting of ice that has taken place in the North American Coast. The rise in the level of water will have a considerable impact on the distribution of water all over the world (Janin and Scott 9). Reasons for concern There is a need to be concerned about the issue of coastal inundation, as well as the rising levels of the sea. This is because the two issues have an impact on the distribution of land, as well as the amount of land available for human settlement. Coastal inundation leads to massive destruction of human and animal habitat and may have devastating effects on human life. Likewise, the rising level of the sea is a threat to human life since it may lead to consumption of more land that may be immense importance to humans (Janin and Scott 11). Why Sea Levels Rise There is a rise in the sea levels all over the world, and the North American Coasts are not an exception. Several factors cause the rise in sea levels. Some of the main reasons for the rise in sea levels include thermal expansion (warming climate), and the loss of ice from the land as a result of melting. The concept of a warming climate or thermal expansion entails a situation whereby water undergoes expansion when it heats. Over the past century, much of the rise in the sea levels can be associated to ocean warming since it makes the oceans occupy a lot of space (Janin and Scott 12). Another factor that can explain why sea levels are rising includes the melting of ice caps in the Polar Regions, as well as melting of glaciers. During summer, ice caps and glaciers experience melting. However, such melting tends to be balanced during winter by snow that comes from sea water that has evaporated. In the recent past, there have been high temperatures that have emanated from global warming. This has reduced the fall of snow during winters while the melting during the summer has increased tremendously. This contributes significantly to the rise in sea levels in the North American Coast, as well as other Coastal regions where there is such imbalance (Janin and Scott 14). Why North American Sites are at risk In the recent past, North American sites have faced numerous risks as a result of the global climatic changes. The risk faced by North American sites can be exemplified by the shrinking of glaciers, the early break up of ice on lakes and rivers, and early flowering of trees of trees. Other indicators that North American sites are at risk include the fact that there is loss of sea ice, as well as heat waves that tend to be more intense. Another reason why North American sites can be said to be at risk is because of the issue of global warming, which has become a common phenomenon in the United States. The emission of gases from industries as a result of global warming has contributed to environmental pollution and the destruction of wildlife sites (Gupta 42). The burning of coal and natural gas by power plants has had a devastating impact on sites in North America. Chemicals may also be spilled in rivers, lakes, and the seas, thereby leading to the destruction of aquatic life. Most species in North America are affected by global warming, and this has led to numerous effects on the ecosystems across the continent. Some of the species whose sites and habitats have been destroyed include migratory songbirds and polar bears. These species tend to shift their habitats and migrate to other regions; moreover, their breeding and mating patterns may be affected by the global climatic changes. North American sites are also affected by weather conditions such as earthquakes and floods, which happen from time to time in North America (Gupta 44). Mitigation: how to reduce flooding effects There are a number of strategies that can be utilized in order to reduce the impact of flooding. One of the methods that help in the mitigation of floods includes using a diversion. A diversion helps in reducing flooding since it helps in taking waters that may cause floods from a water body to another. A diversion includes the construction of a diversion canal that plays a crucial role in diverting the water to the required destination. Another measure that can be undertaken to mitigate floods includes the construction of a flood control reservoir. A reservoir can be constructed either beside a river (off-stream) or it can be constructed across a river (on-stream). A reservoir is vital since it ensures that the storage of water is regulated and that there is no unregulated storage (Han 131). The other measure that can be undertaken in the mitigation of floods is the construction of embankments. Embankments, which are also referred to as dikes, play a vital role in the mitigation of floods, especially on lands that are flat. Embankments should be constructed in such a way that they can withstand seepage, the intensity of waves, as well as the high levels of flood. The construction of embankments should also take into consideration the inclusion of freeboards, which ensure that the embankment is not destroyed by extreme floods. The other measure that can be undertaken in order to prevent flooding includes channel modification. Channel modification plays a crucial role since it helps to increase the capacity of the channel through widening, shortening the length of the channel, deepening, ensuring that the meanders are cut, as well as reducing flow resistance (Han 132). The other measure that can be utilized in order to reduce flooding includes the management of land use. There is a need to plant many trees in order to reduce the impacts of run-off. Trees play a crucial role in minimising the impact of floods on flat land. Another measure that can be undertaken to mitigate floods is warning people about floods, especially when there is a possibility that there will be floods. Flood warning helps in the mitigation of floods since people have the opportunity to evacuate the area where floods are likely to occur. Warning also ensures that people can remove valuable property that may be damaged by the floods (Han 132). Conclusion In conclusion, inundation refers to the flooding of low-lying land that can be considered as dry most of the times. Coastal inundation is caused by a number of factors; one of the causes is storm surge. Coastal inundation may also emanate from massive storms that may occur in the coastal regions. There has been a rise in the sea levels all over the world; the North American Coasts are also affected by this rise. The effects of floods can be mitigated through a number of measures. . One of the methods that can be utilized in the mitigation of floods is through using a diversion. The construction of embankments, as well as other measures, can help in the mitigation of floods. Works Cited Gupta, Kulwant R. Encyclopaedia of Environment. New Delhi, India: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 2005. Print. Han, Dawei. Flood Risk Assessment and Management. S.l.: Bentham Science Publishers, 2011. Print. Janin, Hunt, and Scott A. Mandia. Rising Sea Levels: An Introduction to Cause and Impact. Jefferson: McFarland, 2012. Print. Spaulding, Malcolm L. Estuarine and Coastal Modeling: Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, October 31-November 2, 2005, Charleston, South Carolina. Reston: Va, 2006. Print. Read More