Sinking Delta May Not Be Losing Battle

A new study has shown that rapid land subsidence in the Mississippi Delta is a problem that occurs closer to the surface, not deep below, giving geologists hope that the delta can be restored.

1 minute read

February 24, 2008, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"Across large swathes of southern Louisiana, average annual subsidence of five-to-10 millimetres (0.2 to 0.4 inches) have contributed to sea-level rise, shoreline erosion and wetland loss, they said."

"The findings have implications for delta regions around the world -- home to tens of millions of people -- already threatened by rising sea levels caused by global warming, the researchers told AFP."

"But the study, published in Nature, also shows for the first time that the sinking of the Mississippi Delta is, geologically speaking, only skin deep, limited to a layer of peaty sediment less than 100 meters (300 feet) thick."

FULL STORY: Rapid sinking of Mississippi Delta only skin deep: study

Sunday, February 17, 2008 in Terra Daily

Environment Mississippi

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