Coastal flooding Flashcards
What is much of Bangladesh at risk of?
46% of people are at risk of coastal flooding living less than 10m above sea level as it lies on flat floodplain of 3 major rivers
What is the population density of Bangladesh?
1200/km^2 meaning it is very densely populated
Why do most years in Bangladesh see widespread flooding?
This is due to physical factors such as Himalayan meltwater, monsoon rainwater and spring tides and storms can compound risk as storm surges cause coastal flooding
What is coastal flooding in Bangladesh according to John Pethick, a British geomorphologist (2014)
John suggests it is mainly a self-inflicted wound
What is the Sundarbans?
Earths largest remaining mangrove forest
What do mangroves provide?
Bio protection from coastal erosion by storm waves and from coastal flooding by storm surges or tsunamis
Why are mangroves often deforested?
Often due to the expansion of aquaculture
What is an example of Bangladesh shooting themselves in the foot?
The use of embankments designed to protect the charlands from flooding, however they increase the risk of catastrophic flooding as the charland subsides and the flood levels rise until the embankment is breached
What are storm surges?
Storm surges are changes in sea level caused by intense low-pressure systems, depressions, tropical cyclones and high wind speeds
How much does the sea level rise as the result of a 10mb drop in air pressure?
The sea level rises by 10cm
How many mb may the air pressure drop by during a tropical cyclone and how much will this raise the sea level by?
The air may be 100mb lower than usual which raises the sea by 1 metre
Where is the effect of a storm surge intensified?
In areas where the coastline is funnel shaped
What happened in the North Sea in 1953?
The Great North Sea Flood, the North Sea’s worst storm surge disaster
What happened on the 5th of December 2013?
The worst tidal surge in 60 years in the North Sea due to storm Xaver
What was the peak sea level during the storm surge in 2013?
5.8m in Hull
