The rising sea level due to the melting of glaciers will lead to flooding, flooding and erosion of the coastal regions of the Mediterranean by 2100, - scientists at the University of Keele in Germany concluded. This means that about 50 famous historical sites in the region will be flooded in the next century.
The list of places at risk of extinction includes Venice, Rhodes, the historic center of Pisa, the Tunisian Medina, Dubrovnik, Paphos, Byblos, the old town of Corfu, Syracuse, Ravenna and many other UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the coastal zone.
The rise in sea level is due to the thermal expansion of ocean water, as well as the melting of polar ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland and mountain glaciers. Over the 20th century, the average level rose by 17 cm and continues to grow. The growth rate of the level of the World Ocean annually increases by an average of 0.084 millimeters.
Antarctica has lost more than 2.7 trillion tons of ice since 1992, according to recent research, causing the water level to rise by nearly 8 millimeters. In the last 5 years, the average rate of melting turned out to be 3 times higher than in the previous two decades (!).
Scientists are sounding the alarm, hoping that their research will help the governments of Mediterranean countries develop strategies for the protection of unique monuments and their possible relocation.