Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, is one of the world's most historic cities, playing a key role in the development of ancient civilizations. But now, the ancient city is facing a major threat: submergence due to rising sea levels. A new study shows that Alexandria is experiencing a "dramatic increase" in the number of buildings being swallowed by the sea due to melting ice and rising sea levels.
In addition, scientists warn that in the last 10 years, the rate of collapses has increased from one per year to 40 collapses per year, as salt water is penetrating deeper into the city's foundations. In the last two decades, 280 buildings have been destroyed by coastal erosion and another 7,000 are at risk of collapse, writes A2 CNN.
Responsible for this situation is global warming, which has caused ocean temperatures to rise and water to expand, raising global sea levels. According to a recent study from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, sea levels could rise by 1.9 meters by 2100 if carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase.
Furthermore, scientists point out that the impact of sea level rise is not just a matter of a few meters, as even a few centimeters can cause flooding and saltwater intrusion into coastal cities. Buildings are being damaged by the interaction with saltwater, which is damaging foundations, causing them to collapse.
Scientists recommend measures such as building sand dunes or relocating residents from the most endangered areas. These historic cities, like Alexandria, are important not only for their cultural heritage, but for our shared identity as people. (A2 Televizion)
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