Rising Sea To Submerge Causeway Stones

The world famous Giants Causeway could be set to sink beneath the waves.

Researchers from Queen's University and the University of Ulster have warned that parts of the causeway could become inaccessible, slipping beneath the waves, Atlantis-style.

The report also highlights that much of Murlough National Nature Reserve in Co Down could be washed away too, due to sea level rises and storm surges.

The National Trust, which commissioned the Shifting Shores report, also revealed that vast populations of wild birds depending on Strangford Lough's mudflats could vanish if sea levels rise by up to a metre by 2100.

Under threat would be the thousands of Brent geese that migrate to Strangford to feed every winter, summer breeding seabirds including terns, ringed plover and cormorant, as well as common and grey seals that haul out onto low-lying lough islands, which are now expected to be submerged.

Overall, Northern Ireland is forecast to experience warmer temperatures, wetter winters and drier summers, sea level rises of between 85 and 100cm by 2100, as well as increased frequency of extreme storm surges and extreme wave events, the report revealed.

"The Giant's Causeway is likely to experience increased storminess, with a greater area of the Causeway stones washed by waves by 2050, while by 2100 access to parts of the Causeway could be more difficult, particularly in winter," the report said.

"At north-east Strangford Lough, sea level rise of up to 25cm is predicted by 2050, and possibly by up to one metre by 2100.

"This would result in significant loss of feeding and nesting grounds for the lough's birdlife. Increased winter storms would result in sea walls being overtopped more often and undefended areas of coast experiencing greater erosion.

"At Murlough National Nature Reserve it is possible that between 50 and 400 metres of dunes could be eroded away, while tidal and storm flooding could reach one metre higher than present day extremes."

The Trust has called for more detailed data to be compiled on Northern Ireland's coasts and warned that the planning system must take predicted coastal change into account when considering applications.

(BMcC)