The rise in the sea level will change the morphology of the Italian coasts over the next 80 years, a study found.

 

一项研究发现，海平面上升将在今后80年改变意大利海岸的形态。

 

And up to 5,500 square kilometres of coastal¹ plains could end up under water - meaning Italy could be completely submerged by the end of the century.

 

A study by the Laboratory of Climate Modelling and the journal Quaternary Science Reviews focused on four sensitive areas of the Italian peninsula which will feel the impact of rising sea levels. These were the North Adriatic, the Gulf² of Taranto, the Gulf of Oristano and the Gulf of Cagliari.

 

The analysis took into account the most recent projections³ of sea-level rise between a minimum of 53cm and a maximum of 97cm, also including the effects due to geological and geomorphological changes.

 

Fabrizio Antonioli, the director of research at the Laboratory of Climate Modelling told National Geographic⁴ Italian: "The coast is flat and there are no dunes⁵ to act as a natural barrier. Some areas are already close to or below the sea level."

 

Experts suggest that the way to solve the issue is that governments will need to improve the efficiency of the dams to protect the coasts.

 

If no reinforcement measures are implemented⁶ in the near future, the cities of Aquileia, Ravenna and Rovigo will be at risk of flooding while the coastline could arrive less than 10km from Ferrara.

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