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Could artificial reefs provide island nations with hurricane protection?

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As hurricane season becomes more of a threat due to increasingly warmer ocean temperatures, one island is launching an artificial reef project to protect their coastlines from large storm waves.

For many, the arrival of summer brings the promise of days spent relishing in the sun, but if you live on an island within the Atlantic ocean, it also ushers in five months of hurricane season.

Running from June 1st to November 31st, hurricane season has never been more daunting. Amongst other hard-to-predict changes, a rapidly warming climate has increased the number and severity of tropical storms able to develop in the region.

Communities living on relatively isolated island nations are particularly vulnerable to hurricane-strength winds and ocean surges, which are now twice as likely to intensify into major threats.

For example, Hurricane Lee went from a low-level storm with winds of 80 mph to the most powerful Category 5 hurricane of 2023, with winds reaching 155 mph within just 24 hours.

In the past, natural structures like coral reefs and mangroves have offered a barrier of storm protection for island nations. However, nature’s own wave breakers are deteriorating as a result of farming, aquaculture, urban development, and natural processes like erosion and harsher weather conditions.

Hoping to develop a solution, one island is installing an artificial reef of its coastline. If successful, other Caribbean nations could follow suit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m68_07Sav4&pp=ygUTaG93IGh1cnJpY2FuZXMgZm9ybQ%3D%3D

St Thomas’ artificial reef project

Ahead of this hurricane season, an 18-foot by 12-foot reef will be installed around the coast around St Thomas, a US territory.

The project is estimated to cost around $760,000 to complete, a sum which has been put forward by the federal government and awarded to the University of the Virgin Islands after hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on the island in 2017.

University officials say they have begun the process of selecting only the strongest coral species from local nurseries to attach to the artificial reef.

To build the structure, officials are working alongside the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts to create a design that is harmonious with surrounding natural reefs. The hope is that the artificial reef will be able to support life on other nearby natural reefs.

According to the islands’ department of planning and natural resources, it is expected to be completed as early as July – at the peak of hurricane season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7Fv1-eybcI&pp=ygUQcmVlZnMgaHVycmljYW5lcw%3D%3D

 

How a warmer climate supports hurricane development

When storms are forming in the Atlantic, they use warm, moist air as fuel.

With global average sea surface temperatures reaching ‘unprecedented levels’ in June of last year, these conditions are a perfect catalyst for turning relatively harmless storms brewing over the ocean into full-blown hurricanes.

Although tropical cyclones are typically expected to die down quickly once they hit land, the last 70 years has seen the time it takes for a hurricane to ‘decay’ increase by 10 per cent. The result is that they cause far more sustained damage to coastal areas, as well as islands which are isolated in the Atlantic.

In the warmer years to come, we will likely see more nations historically affected by hurricanes launching projects to protect local communities.

Whether these be storm walls, wave breakers, or nature-based solutions such as artificial reefs – the resilience of Atlantic-based communities may depend on having these protection measures in place.

Senior Writer & Media Coordinator London, UK

I’m Jessica (She/Her). Originally from Bermuda, I moved to London to get a Master’s degree in Media & Communications and now write for Thred to spread the word about positive social change, specifically ocean health and marine conservation. You can also find me dipping my toes into other subjects like pop culture, health, wellness, style, and beauty.  Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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