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Arctic climate warming and sea ice declines lead to increased storm surge activity
Author(s) -
Vermaire Jesse C.,
Pisaric Michael F. J.,
Thienpont Joshua R.,
Courtney Mustaphi Colin J.,
Kokelj Steven V.,
Smol John P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/grl.50191
Subject(s) - storm surge , environmental science , climate change , global warming , arctic , storm , surge , climatology , coastal flood , sea ice , lead (geology) , arctic ice pack , oceanography , geology , sea level rise , geography , meteorology , geomorphology
Abstract The combined effects of climate warming (i.e., increased storminess, reduced sea ice extent, and rising sea levels) make low‐lying Arctic coastal regions particularly susceptible to storm surges. The Mackenzie Delta, a biologically significant and resource‐rich region in northwestern Canada, is particularly vulnerable to flooding by storm surges. To properly manage the consequences of climate warming for Arctic residents, infrastructure, and ecosystems, a better understanding of the influence of climate change on storm surge activity is required. Here we use particle size analysis of lake sediment records to show that the occurrence and magnitude of storm surges in the outer Mackenzie Delta are significantly related to temperature and that the frequency and intensity of storm surges is increasing. Our results demonstrate the effects of changing climate on storm surge activity and provide a cautionary example of the threat of inundation to low‐lying Arctic coastal environments under future climate warming scenarios.