problems IN THE GREAT WATERS OF melbourne
1. Decrease in Rainfall
- Millennium Drought: 1998 to 2007 where the whole state of Victoria - where Melbourne is located- experienced a 14% lower rate of average rainfall
- Less regular rainfall, and more extreme storms that cause flash floods, when combined with different factors such as rising sea levels, king tide (very high tide), prevailing winds, etc.
- Rainfall is a great source of fresh water.. and it's decreasing!
2. Heat Waves
- Throughout the year, the city is 0.4 degrees warmer than the 30 years average
- Heat waves are usually followed by several devastating consequences such as death from heat or death from bush fire accidents
- Fires reached severe levels because of the lack of rainfall and humidity
ex: >Ash Wednesday fires on February 16th 1983
>3 day extreme heatwave in January 2006, that consisted of record highest temperature in Melbourne history (46.4 °C), and also lead to the Black Saturday bushfire (worst bushfire in Australian history)
3.Rising Sea Levels
- Bureau of Meteorology’s National Tide Centre (BMNTC) recorded that the sea level was rising 2.8mm every year since 1993, at Lorne
- Bureau of Meteorology's National Tide Centre also recorded that the seal level was rising 2.6mm every year at Stony Point, since 1993
- City of Melbourne is suffering greatest climate warming in Australia, which leads to thermal expansion
- Increased rates of shoreline erosion; exact rate depends on the composition of the shore land (granite, limestone, etc.) but the overall rate of erosion has increased
- Increased risk of the inundation (flooding) of low elevation lands of coastal areas
4. Invasion of Freshwater
- Salinity levels of Australian freshwater supplies are increasing
ex: rivers, bays, coastal aquifers, deltas and estuaries
- Highly saline, undrinkable ocean water is intruding Melbourne's fresh water systems, threatening yet another source of fresh water for the Aussie people
5. Frequent and Extreme Flooding
- The severe '1 in 100 years' flood is increasing in frequency, until later in the century it is predicted to return as often as several times in one year!
- Flash floods: combination of high tide, wind waves, storm surge, heavy rainfall, etc. that suddenly swell rivers or waterways such as the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and the Moonee Ponds Creek. Consequently, the land around these waterways flood and property is damaged.
- Millennium Drought: 1998 to 2007 where the whole state of Victoria - where Melbourne is located- experienced a 14% lower rate of average rainfall
- Less regular rainfall, and more extreme storms that cause flash floods, when combined with different factors such as rising sea levels, king tide (very high tide), prevailing winds, etc.
- Rainfall is a great source of fresh water.. and it's decreasing!
2. Heat Waves
- Throughout the year, the city is 0.4 degrees warmer than the 30 years average
- Heat waves are usually followed by several devastating consequences such as death from heat or death from bush fire accidents
- Fires reached severe levels because of the lack of rainfall and humidity
ex: >Ash Wednesday fires on February 16th 1983
>3 day extreme heatwave in January 2006, that consisted of record highest temperature in Melbourne history (46.4 °C), and also lead to the Black Saturday bushfire (worst bushfire in Australian history)
3.Rising Sea Levels
- Bureau of Meteorology’s National Tide Centre (BMNTC) recorded that the sea level was rising 2.8mm every year since 1993, at Lorne
- Bureau of Meteorology's National Tide Centre also recorded that the seal level was rising 2.6mm every year at Stony Point, since 1993
- City of Melbourne is suffering greatest climate warming in Australia, which leads to thermal expansion
- Increased rates of shoreline erosion; exact rate depends on the composition of the shore land (granite, limestone, etc.) but the overall rate of erosion has increased
- Increased risk of the inundation (flooding) of low elevation lands of coastal areas
4. Invasion of Freshwater
- Salinity levels of Australian freshwater supplies are increasing
ex: rivers, bays, coastal aquifers, deltas and estuaries
- Highly saline, undrinkable ocean water is intruding Melbourne's fresh water systems, threatening yet another source of fresh water for the Aussie people
5. Frequent and Extreme Flooding
- The severe '1 in 100 years' flood is increasing in frequency, until later in the century it is predicted to return as often as several times in one year!
- Flash floods: combination of high tide, wind waves, storm surge, heavy rainfall, etc. that suddenly swell rivers or waterways such as the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and the Moonee Ponds Creek. Consequently, the land around these waterways flood and property is damaged.
Zoom in and look for Yarra River, Marybyrnong River, Moonee Ponds Creek, Lorne and Stony Point!
(Changes in Precipitation& Changes in Severe Weather Occurrences by: Christina Lee)
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