The Role of Topography in Reducing the Impact of Global Sea Level Rise; a Case Study on the Northwestern Coast of Libya

Abstract

Sea level rise (SLR) is a real problem for life on the surface of the globe, as this rise leads to the inundation of a large number of marine cities in water. Therefore, the present study will be conducted in the northwest  coast of Libya to determine the impact of future SLR through flood zonation mapping using the Geographical Information System (GIS) by implementing method of an eight-side rule as algorithms at scenario of one meter SLR, depending mainly on topographic data that represented in digital elevation models DEMs (SRTM), which be utilized as an input data for spatial analysis and derivative products and identify the area flooding and determine the vulnerable and risky area. The flooded area is indicated 532.62 km2 with 16.73% of the total area, this effect includes urban, agricultural, roads, beach sand, sabkhas, and barren lands. Moreover, these effects are concentrated in the western part of study area. Furthermore, the residents are not isolated from the danger that will pose a threat to their lives even if they try to adapt unless they are displaced to safer areas that are evident in the eastern part, which is restricted and supported by topography is ideal for exceeding the level of risk, constructing concrete barriers, limiting migration, and controlling population growth trends