Hall, Shannon. “Storm Waves with the Power to Heave Massive Boulders Over Cliffs.” The New York Times. 29 November 2017. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/science/boulders-storms-waves-tsunamis.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=18&pgtype=sectionfront

 

Over the past couple of years, natural disasters have become more common and the effects have been devastating. Most of these disasters have been linked to climate change. One recurring event is a coastal storm, which is due to rising sea levels. Justin Gillis said, “For decades, as the global warming created by human emissions caused land ice to melt and ocean water to expand, scientists warned that the accelerating rise of the sea would eventually imperil the United States’ coastline.” Most people tend to underestimate coastal storms, believing that they are not powerful enough to cause severe harm; however, geologists have proven that the waves of a coastal storm have enough power to move large boulders from beneath the ocean’s surface.

Over the years, geologists have been trying to solve the mystery of how so many large boulders ended up in western Ireland. They believed it was either caused by coastal storms or tsunamis; however, they were not sure if a coastal storm was strong enough to carry large boulders. Geologists collected historical and oceanographic data to determine whether the waves of a coastal storm are powerful enough to carry these immense boulders, which can weigh four times more than a bus. They considered historical data, including the damage from a coastal storm in 1861. This coastal storm had such strong waves that the waves ended up crashing over the lighthouse. Dr. Dewey said, “If you’re throwing a wall of water, say 30 meters or 40 meters high over a large area, volume of water is enormous and the crushing force is tremendous.” A cubic meter of water weighs over 2000 pounds, which produces immense force, indicating capability for causing severe damage.

Although they concluded that coastal storms are the reason for the field of boulders in Ireland, the field of boulders in New Zealand are not caused by coastal storms. The boulders in New Zealand are much heavier and some weigh over 150 tons. Considering the massive weight of the boulders along with the materials between the boulders, geologists are able to determine that these boulders were moved by tsunamis rather than coastal storms. However, this proves that although coastal storms are not seen as detrimental, they have the potential and power to cause extreme destruction. Andrea Dutton, a climate scientist at the University of Florida, said, “It’s a slow, gradual attack, but it threatens the safety and security of the United States.” The only way to somehow reduce the number of coastal storms is to better address the issue of climate change and the issue of the sea level rise. However, individuals all over the world need to be aware of the intensity of all types of natural disasters that arise due to climate change, including coastal storms.

 

Gillis, Justin. “Flooding of Coast, Caused by Global Warming, Has Already Begun.” The New York Times.  3September 2016. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/science/flooding-of-coast-caused-by-global-warming-has-already-begun.html

Hall, Shannon. “Storm Waves with the Power to Heave Massive Boulders Over Cliffs.” The New York Times. 29 November 2017. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/science/boulders-storms-waves-tsunamis.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=18&pgtype=sectionfront