Increase in sea level may lead to land losses in coastal U.S.

Some families move into homes with the intent that the property will be passed on to future generations. However, for some buying homes in coastal areas, that may not be possible, according to a recent study by the University of Arizona.

Researchers at the school have determined that rising sea levels may threaten land in the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic coastal regions, particularly Miami, New Orleans, Tampa and Virginia Beach, which could lose over 10 percent of their land areas by 2100. The average projected loss for the 180 cities throughout those regions is about 9 percent, according to the source.

These potential losses are expected to be caused by an estimated 1-meter increase in sea level, which is equivalent to about 3 feet.

The effects of this change vary, but some effects could be potentially irreversible. "Impacts from sea-level rise could be erosion, temporary flooding and permanent inundation," researcher Jeremy L. Weiss said.

The public, particularly in the Gulf area, seems to be engaging in "willful ignorance" regarding the risk of water hazards like the projected water erosion, as well as hurricanes, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

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