Venice’s Future: Submarine Tourism and Relocation of Iconic Sites

In the future, tourists may need submarines to explore Venice's submerged ruins if climate change continues unabated.

Venice’s Future: A City Battling Rising Tides and Sinking Foundations

Imagine a future where tourists to Venice travel by submarine to witness its submerged beauty before heading inland to see its historic architecture reconstructed on dry land. This is not the plot of a science fiction novel but a realistic projection based on current scientific research.

According to a study led by Piero Lionello from the University of Salento, the captivating squares and palazzos of Venice are at risk of being engulfed by rising sea levels if climate change persists. “There are things we can do to delay this scenario, but they will not work forever — the future appears unavoidable,” Lionello remarked.

Venice is already experiencing the repercussions of climate change, having endured record flooding in 2019 that submerged 80% of the city. Shockingly, 18 of the most severe floods over the past 150 years have occurred in just the last 23 years, as reported in Scientific Reports. Currently, over half of Venice stands 80cm to 120cm above mean sea level, making it particularly vulnerable.

St Mark’s Basilica during the carnival period in February this year

The iconic St Mark’s Square, already a mere 30cm above the high tide mark, exemplifies the city’s precarious situation. In 2020, the Mose flood barrier was introduced as a temporary measure. This system rises from the seabed to block tidal surges at three entry points to the Venice lagoon. However, its frequent use will become inevitable as sea levels continue to climb, warns Lionello.

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alt=”The MOSE flood barrier in Venice, a large yellow wall extending across the water.”
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By the century’s end, Venice could see sea levels rise by 42cm to 81cm. A 75cm rise would mean the Mose barrier would need to be deployed for six months annually, an unsustainable measure that could harm the lagoon’s ecosystem by obstructing water flow.

Adding to Venice’s troubles is its gradual sinking, a process exacerbated since the Second World War when groundwater extraction caused the city to subside by 10cm each century. To counteract this, scientists have proposed injecting water back into the ground, a strategy that might elevate the city evenly. This ambitious plan could cost up to €400 million but would help the Mose system remain effective if sea levels rose by 1.25m.

Attractions such as St Mark’s will have to be relocated

However, Lionello emphasizes that these are merely temporary fixes. Additional measures, such as constructing a €4.5 billion circle of dykes within the lagoon, may become necessary. Yet, this solution carries its own risks: “If it was breached, the time to save the local population would almost be non-existent,” the report cautions.

As a last resort, turning the Mose barrier into a permanent structure could completely block the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea, transforming it into an artificial lake but at the cost of the local ecosystem. If sea levels rise drastically, monumental relocations and eventual abandonment of Venice may be the only remaining options. Lionello references the successful relocation of the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt as a historical precedent for such an undertaking.

Venice’s monuments could be relocated to the mainland at an estimated cost of €100 billion, allowing them to be visited by tourists in new settings. As the city is abandoned, the remaining flooded areas would deteriorate over time, offering a limited window for exploration by boat and submarine.

Original Story at www.thetimes.com

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Venice’s Future: Submarine Tourism and Relocation of Iconic Sites

Venice’s Future: A City Battling Rising Tides and Sinking Foundations

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