Researcher Says the Hawaiian Islands Are Dissolving

SternisheFan writes with a snippet from Science Recorder: "Reporting in the journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, researchers at Brigham Young University say that the Hawaiian Islands are slowly dissolving. Eventually, Oahu's Koolau and Waianae mountains will dwindle to little more than a flat, low-lying island like Midway. While erosion is certainly a guilty party, researchers contend that the mountains of Oahu are, in fact, dissolving from within. Researchers spent several months collecting samples of groundwater and stream water to determine which source removed more mineral material. They also put to use surface water estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey to calculate the quantity of mass that vanished from the island each year. Researchers point out that Oahu is actually rising in elevation at a slow but steady rate due to plate tectonics. [BYU geologist Steve Nelson] and colleagues believe that Oahu will continue to grow for as long as 1.5 million years. Beyond that, the force of groundwater will eventually win and Oahu will begin its transformation to a flat, low-lying island like Midway." (If you have journal access, or don't mind forking over $40, you can read the original paper.)

Comments

Re:Hmmmm

[PolygamousRanchKid]

So what you're saying is, we've got some time?

It's never too early to start thinking about building a big glass dome over the island, before it goes Atlantis. These big construction projects always take longer and cost more than estimated. Just look at Boston's Big Dig. 1.5 million years is about the norm for big government projects.

Hey, wait and see if Las Vegas can top that! An underwater resort!

If this had happened on December 7th, 1941, this really would have confused the Japanese.

"Flight leader here. I see the ships. But there ain't no island! Can I yell Tora! Tora! Tora! anyway . . . ?"