3.6 - Why Is NY Going To Flood

Question 1

NYC

Answer 1

Hurricane Sandy, 2012
Coastal flooding 14ft high
53 killed, 32bn damage
Hospitals without power, subways flooded etc.

Question 2

Where Is This A Problem

Answer 2

US Eastern coastline, very populated, heavy buildings and home to 12% of the US.

Question 3

Why Is It Low Lying?

Answer 3

Coastal plains - Beaches, Tourism, Access
River Estuaries - Good for trade
Deltas - Fertile land e.g. Nile/Missipi
Both eustatic and isostatic SLR

Question 4

Physical Vulnerability

Answer 4

Low pressure zone - storm surges
Subsidence - Accretion on the river delta and buildings are heavy
SLR - Eustatic and Isostatic

Question 5

Physical Vulnerability

Answer 5

Low pressure zone - storm surges
SUbsidence - Accretion on the river delta and buildings are heavy
SLR - Eustatic and Isostatic

Question 6

What Human Activities Make This Worse

Answer 6

Mangrove Deforestation - Could reduce wave height and maintain stabilised sediment
Groundwater Extraction - Causes subsidence
River Straightening - Sediment is propelled offshore and builds up faster.