The Adriatic Sea is Closing

[Crvena zvezda]

Quote: The Adriatic Sea is Closing

Scientists have identified a new fault in the seafloor which could close off the Adriatic sea in the next 50 million years.

The newly found fault runs under the Adriatic sea, the body of water between Italy and the Grecian peninsula. The fault is slowly making Croatia’s Dalmatian islands larger, as well as pushing up the Dinaric Alps. The fault has been discovered where the Eurasian plate slides over the South Adria microplate.

Researcher Richard A. Bennett of the University of Arizona said: “The southern Adria microplate is covered by a thick layer of buoyant rocks called carbonates. As the Adria plate moves northeast toward Europe, the carbonate layer is scraped off of the microplate, much like snow in front of a snowplow.”

Those carbonates slowly pile up, leading to new islands which are then compressed together and help raise the Alps. It also means the southern “heel” of Italy is moving towards Croatia at the rate of about .15 inches per year while the Adriatic floor is being pushed under Croatia, meaning the Adriatic sea could be closed off in 50 million years.

The new fault was discovered using the science of Geodesy. Geodesy records the position of rocks at one particular time, like a geological GPS system. After 11 years of research, the scientists realized their measurements in the Adriatic pointed to a then undiscovered thrust fault in the seafloor.

The scientists believe the new fault must now be taken into account when considering the potential for earthquakes and tsunamis in the region. Bennett said: “We do not know, given the current data, whether or not the fault along which the motions take place is accumulating strain that will be released during a large future earthquake, or alternatively whether the strain is accommodated without earthquakes. All indications are that the fault could produce a very large earthquake, but additional research is required to confirm this result. If the fault is capable of producing very large earthquakes, it could also be capable of generating a tsunami, because the fault is underwater.”[/size]

Source: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/the-adriatic-sea-is-closing/735

[Savorgnan]

Great news, no more Albanians drawning, they will come directly by foot.

[Marcus Marulus]

Great news! Croatian national inhabitable territory will increase, without any conquest, but unfortunately only in 50 million years.

I remember, when I was kid, and I grew up at the seaside, that scientists were claiming exactly the opposite: namely, that the level of the sea was mounting and that we were slowly but inexorably losing land to the sea. Who would know???

[M.R.]

I don't believe any of this crap about what will hapen in xx million years.

But if Crotia would loose it's sea-side that would mean no more money from Slovenian tourists in Croatian pockets remember.

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Panonski

But if Crotia would loose it's sea-side that would mean no more money from Slovenian tourists in Croatian pockets remember.

Not all seaside would be lost, only one, smaller part.

As for tourism, its impact on the national economy has been overrated anyway.

[M.R.]

Originally Posted by Marulus

As for tourism, its impact on the national economy has been overrated anyway.

The only way to find out if that's true is that Slovenians stop going to your sea.

I already boycott Croatian sea for some time (not really because of what's going on in politics, but because of a change) and go to Greece instead.

[Susi]

What about the Slovene coastline? :p

[M.R.]

Not bad either.

[Susi]

I never had a chance to visit it. .-. next time.

[Veritas Aequitas]

Good News! The Dinaric alps will rise up and spew millions more Dinarids until they rule the world forever more!