IMPACTS OF SEA-LEVEL RISE ON OVERTOPPING WAVES AND INUNDATION IN FONGAFALE ISLAND OF FUNAFUTI ATOLL, TUVALU

Abstract

 It is concerned that sea-level rise due to global warming affects to the various phenomena in Fongafale Island of Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu. Especially the overtopping waves, inundation and cultivation of Taro will be influenced strongly because these items involve to the sea surface height. This study estimated the influence against these items that are overtopping waves, inundation and cultivation of Taro. The results on nearshore wave height simulation indicated that the sea-level rise cause increase of wave height in both lagoonal and oceanic coasts. In the ocean-side coast, the increasing rate was over 200% partly. Additionally, calculated potential area of Inundation caused by extreme high tide will be increase by the sea-level rise of 10cm. Potential region of suitable for Taro-pit will be decrease by sea-level rise and the present Taro-pit will change to the unsuitable as cultivate region.