Growing Islands

[GordMay]

The Extraordinary Way We’ll Rebuild Our Shrinking Islands*
Physical barriers won’t stop rising sea levels. But this resourceful method just might.
At MIT's Self-Assembly Lab [1], researchers are working to rebuild islands in the Maldives by harnessing the power of ocean* waves.
Using underwater sand bags, the scientists figured out that ocean waves will crash over them and redistribute the sand to form new mounds.
It's a way to work with nature, rather than against it, to protect coastal communities*.
More about ➥ https://www.popularmechanics.com/sci...s-ocean-waves/

[1] “Growing Islands: Rebuilding Beaches and Protecting Coastlines through Wave Energy” ~ Self Assembly Lab’ @ MIT
➥ https://selfassemblylab.mit.edu/growingislands

* Relevancy
Islands: Places cruisers like to visit.
Coastlines: Where boaters' docks are located
Oceans: Where cruisers boat.

[Wander4Wonder]

thats fascinating. Rather than just force it (like the Chinese have done in the South China sea) utilizing the oceans own natural processes to change the natural forces that change the seascape. I suppose this could be harnessed to create and protect reefs and estuaries too.

[AndyEss]

Does the accumulated 0.5m of sand down current of the sand bags (per example) come from increased erosion immediately upcurrent of the sand bags?
If so, I can’t see that this “island building method” achieves much of anything at all

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by AndyEss

Does the accumulated 0.5m of sand down current of the sand bags (per example) come from increased erosion immediately upcurrent of the sand bags?
If so, I can’t see that this “island building method” achieves much of anything at all

Yes, they’re just redistributing the sand, not creating new sand; but not necessarily creating erosion, immediatey up-current.
Quoting the Popular Mechanics article:

”... Along with the sustainability firm Invena, the scientists have come up with a system of underwater structures that harness the energy of ocean waves to redistribute sand. Eventually, they hope these mounds will grow into new islands or help rebuild coastlines as sea levels continue to rise ...”