Short Wave Why Melting Ice In Antarctica Is Making Hurricanes Worse In Texas
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May 31, 2023 Rebecca Hersher, a climate reporter, explores the surprising link between melting Antarctic ice and hurricane risks in Galveston, Texas. She discusses how rapidly rising sea levels threaten coastal cities and complicate local disaster preparedness. Personal stories from Galveston's past reveal vulnerabilities against climate change, including the severe impact of the Great Storm of 1900. The conversation also touches on the unpredictability of hurricanes and offers a glimpse of hope amidst the chaos, highlighting the resilience of communities facing these challenges.
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Galveston's Great Storm of 1900
- June Collins-Poulion's family home in Galveston has stood for 120 years, surviving the Great Storm of 1900.
- Her great-aunt recounted the storm's devastation, highlighting the storm surge's impact and the tragic loss of 6,000 lives, making it the deadliest U.S. weather disaster.
The Seawall's Limitations
- After the 1900 storm, engineers built a 17-foot seawall, believing it would offer permanent protection.
- However, due to climate change and some of the fastest rising sea levels globally, Galveston has already seen two feet of sea level rise, rendering the wall insufficient.
Uncertainty in Sea Level Rise Predictions
- Scientists face uncertainty in predicting future sea level rise due to unknowns about emission reductions and ice sheet mechanics.
- Research on Antarctic glaciers, like Erin Pettit's work measuring cracks and melting, is crucial for understanding this phenomenon and protecting coastal areas.