Re: Venice drying out!!
Originally Posted by
bakerman
->
Yes ! That is strange.
IF the oceans are constantly rising due to climate change, then it would seem counter-intuitive that the water levels are low in Venice. We often hear dire warnings of the oceans rising due to climate change. Hmm. So much for that catastrophic nonsense.
It's a google translate, but offers insight in the current events
After the extremely high water level that hit Venice in November last year, the opposite is currently the case. Many canals in the world-famous Italian tolerance city are so dry that traffic by gondolas and other vessels is virtually impossible. In many places there is a complete mud pool in which boats are stranded.
The city administration is struggling for the second time in a few months with the always unpredictable water levels that largely lay down public life in Venice. Not only the population and tourism suffer from the ever-changing phenomenon, it also damages the historic buildings. The damage caused by the flood in November is estimated at least one billion euros. That money goes, among other things, to the cleaning of flooded buildings and the restoration of foundations.
In November 2019, the water level in Venice was at some moments 1.87 meters: much higher than the 80 to 90 centimeters that are considered normal at high water. The water level had not been this high in 50 years. Half of the 120 churches in the historic city alone were full of salt water. The famous St. Mark's Square and the cathedral of the same name were flooded for the sixth time in 1200 years. The last four times were in the last 20 years.
The low water level that is now being discussed is caused by the tides, or ebb and flow. A low ebb is not unusual, but the water level in Venice is now unprecedentedly low for the first time in years. That has to do with the position that the earth currently has with respect to the moon and sun and the gravity of the moon and to a lesser extent the sun. The water level varies due to these ‘fluctuations’. Factors such as water level, air pressure and weather conditions also play a role.
Dam
The floods are the result of a combination of high water, reinforced by a full moon, a strong wind and heavy rainfall. In addition, the city sinks further and further and the sea level rises. The mayor establishes a direct link with climate change.
A huge dam should have protected Venice from flooding for years. Already since 2003, MOSE, an abbreviation for Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, has been under construction.
But the dam is still not there. A major corruption scandal came to light in 2014. Dozens of managers, administrators and politicians, including even the then mayor of Venice, would have put millions in their own pockets. Thirty-five people were arrested. As a result, many tenders had to be rerun and top managers replaced. When the project is finished is unknown.