Panama Coastal Erosion

    Regional variations exist due to natural winds and ocean currents, which occur over time. But  other factors can also play an important role, such as uplift or subsidence of the ground, changes in water tables due to water extraction or other water management, and even due to the effects from local erosion. Panama's sea levels have risen creating stress on the physical coastline, but also on coastal ecosystems. 

"Saltwater intrusions can contaminate freshwater aquifers, many of which sustain municipal and agricultural water supplies and natural ecosystems. As global temperatures continue to warm, sea level will keep rising for a long time because there is a substantial lag to reaching an equilibrium". 

Historical Sea Surface Temperatures and Historical Sea Level Anomalies (satellite observations), and Future Sea Level Rise Projections (model-based). Projected Coastal Inundation due to Mean Sea Level Rise and Projected Coastal Inundation due to Mean Sea Level Rise + Storm Surge show potential flood risk maps across scenarios and though to 2150. MONTHLY SEA LEVEL VARIATIONS (MM)Observed anomalies relative to mean of 1993-2012




-250-200-150-100-50050100150200250
MonthHistorical Sea Level Anomaly (mm)Historical Sea Level for coastal Panama (1993-2015)observed anomalies relative to mean of 1993-2012Historical Sea Level AnomalyJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec-40-20020406080100
Average Historical Sea Level AnomalyHistorical Sea Level for coastal Panama (1993-2015)observed anomalies relative to mean of 1993-2012Average Monthly AnomalyAverage Annual AnomalyJanuary199419961998200020022004200620082010201220142016-200-1000100200300












 Panama experiences a series of extreme weather events including intense and protracted rainfalls, windstorms, floods, droughts, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides, tropical cyclones, tsunamis, and El Nino Southern Oscillation impacts. "Between 1982 and 2008, Panama was struck by 32 natural disaster events, with total economic damages totaling an estimated US$86 million. In addition, loss of human life during these events totaled 249" Panama ranks 14th of the countries most exposed to multiple hazards based on land area because of its S shape and the coastal area the weather and other factor impacts Panama. The country has 15 percent of its total area exposed and 12.5 percent of its total population vulnerable to two or more hazards. In addition, Panama ranks 35th among countries with the highest percentage of total population considered at relatively high mortality risk from multiple hazards.















https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/panama/impacts-sea-level-rise


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