Salt Water Car - Catastrophe Modeling (IMAGE)
Caption
Smith Island, in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast of the U.S., is experiencing more frequent flooding due to a combination of rising sea level and tectonic subsidence, the large-scale sinking of the Earth's crust. Many of the island's permanent population of around 200 use older inexpensive “saltwater cars” during nuisance tidal flooding because of corrosion from the salt. Such adaptations help residents “normalize” events that others would find difficult. The red-and-white building is the only school on the island and is attended by eight students ranging from preschool through 7th grade. The potential loss of such cultural institutions due to declining population threatens community-based identity.
Credit
Photo by David Casagrande
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