Scientists issue warning over troubling new threat facing historic US landmark: 'Something we should be worried about'
Though Alcatraz is known as one of the most notorious jails and iconic landmarks in U.S. history, its location may soon be a thing of the past.
Because of rising global temperatures and melting ice sheets in the Arctic, California's coast could experience massive sea level rise in the near future. According to a report by the California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor, the Pacific Ocean could rise by around half a foot by 2030 and around seven feet by 2100.
"Periodic events like storms and high tides will produce even higher water levels and increase the risk of flooding," the report reads. "Rising seas will also erode coastal cliffs, dunes, and beaches, which will affect shorefront structures and recreation."
Specifically, areas such as Alcatraz face a significant threat in the San Francisco Bay. The island's shoreline is susceptible to increased erosion and flooding, which could impact buildings and ecosystems. Scientists and conservationists have been working to monitor and mitigate these effects through 3D mapping and other strategies.
After 29 years of operation, the federal penitentiary at Alcatraz closed in 1963 because of high operational costs. President Donald Trump has recently said he wants to see it reopened, but since then, the island has not only become an in-demand attraction for over a million tourists a year, but it is home to a variety of wildlife as well.
Alcatraz has developed into a haven, particularly for birds, because of its isolation and unique habitat. It's a popular spot for viewing colonial nesting of birds such as cormorants, gulls, night herons, and egrets.
However, rising sea levels have led to the potential of habitat loss for many of these birds. "There are portions of the island that are eroding, and with this pinpoint in time we'll be able to do future scans and see what has changed and what parts of the island has had more impacts than others," Golden Gate National Recreation Area archeologist Peter Gavette told CBS News.
"Sea level rise is something we should be worried about, the impacts that we will have on our coastal communities," Gavette added.
In order to better forecast the impacts of sea level rise at Alcatraz, scientists have deployed 3D mapping of the island in order to evaluate which locations are most at risk of erosion.
Pete Kelsey, owner of VCTO Labs and a member of the 3D mapping team, says that the technology has become a useful tool to raise awareness of the dangers of sea level rise. "We know what's coming," Kelsey told CBS. "So, the 3D map is not only immersive and engaging but it pertains to the broader conversation about sea level rise."
Do you think America has a plastic waste problem?
Definitely
Only in some areas
Not really
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Besides increasing the threat of sea level rise, rising global temperatures have also brought more frequent and severe extreme weather events to communities all around the world. The installation of solar panels, paired with a battery system, can make your home more resilient to extended power outages while also bringing your cost of energy down to near $0. EnergySage provides a free service that makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted local installers and save you up to $10,000 on a solar installation.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
North Carolina town slow to recover from Helene as tourist season nears
Chimney Rock, North Carolina, was unrecognizable after Hurricane Helene swept through, bringing mudslides and flash flooding that ripped apart homes. At the time, it took hours and an escort for CBS News to reach the village, since the only access road had been washed away. Eight months later, the tourist town still isn't ready to welcome summer visitors, putting residents who rely on the tourism industry in peril. Residents like Theresa and Glenn Cauthren had to move into the Chimney Rock Inn, the hotel they own, after their house filled with mud. They had hoped the hotel would have reopened by now, like hotels in Asheville and other nearby cities, but Chimney Rock is still without running water and sanitation. "I had no idea it was going to take this long," Glenn Cauthren told CBS News. Similar cases can be seen along Main Street. Peter O'Leary owns Bubba O'Leary's General Store, and he also serves as mayor of the town of 125. His store also filled up with mud after the hurricane, he said. Chimney Rock's remote location and the very geography that makes the town so stunning have also made recovery work slower and more expensive. "Even though we're making great progress, there's still so much to do," O'Leary said. "I was in Asheville this morning. I was in Hendersonville this morning. And life is normal. And then you come here and it's just totally upside down," O'Leary said. "And, you know, that's just what we're all trying to come to grips with, is that our neighbors just a few miles away are living their lives and we're still trying to recover." But that's not deterring the community, including the Cauthrens. "We are resilient," Theresa Cauthren said, adding, "We're gonna be back and it's gonna be better than ever." Australian reporter covering Los Angeles protests shot with rubber bullet by police officer Eye Opener: Protests erupt in more cities over ICE deportations LAPD chief speaks out about deployment of military forces to anti-ICE protests
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
FIFA Under Fire as Trump's Travel Ban Blocks Fans from Two World Cups
FIFA Under Fire as Trump's Travel Ban Blocks Fans from Two World Cups originally appeared on Athlon Sports. President Donald Trump's travel ban, effective June 9, 2025, bars citizens from 12 countries, including Iran and Haiti, from entering the U.S., threatening the Club World Cup which kicks off in a matter of days and 2026 FIFA World Cup. Advertisement Fans around the globe, eager to cheer their teams, face exclusion despite exemptions for athletes. The move has ignited fury and logistical chaos. Trump's ban has upended travel plans and stirred fan fury. Iran, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, sees its fans barred from the spectacle. Haitian supporters, with their team strong in CONCACAF qualifiers, also face a locked gate. FIFA's vision of unity feels hollow as fans cry foul (BBC Sport, June 6, 2025). The ban only exempts athletes, coaches, and support staff for 'major' events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics, but fans get no such pass. Iranian fans, who rallied 20,000-strong in Qatar 2022, now face a dream deferred. Haiti's vibrant supporters, a force at the 2023 Women's World Cup, are similarly sidelined. Advertisement Trump's proclamation cites national security, labeling Iran a 'state sponsor of terrorism' and Haiti as lacking 'sufficient law enforcement' per the White House. Critics argue this paints entire nations as threats, alienating global soccer communities. The State Department claims vetting is essential for safe hosting, but fans see it as a betrayal, per The Athletic. How will Trump's travel ban affect fans wanting to see the Club World Cup and next year's World Cup?Photo byVisa processing, already sluggish, faces new hurdles. Trump's reported cuts to federal agents, including Homeland Security staff, have slashed visa processing capacity. Fans worldwide, even from non-banned countries, fear inevitable delays as backlogs continue to grow. Sources like CNN and The Athletic report visa wait times stretching over a year in cities like Bogota (710 days) and Istanbul (713 days) already. Gianni Infantino said "The world is welcome in America,' The FIFA President, now faces a diplomatic mess. Posts on X reflect fan anger, with some calling for FIFA to reconsider U.S. hosting rights. This month's Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup, both U.S.-based, are also tangled in the ban's web. Advertisement "Me and a few mates were planning to go to the US for the Club World Cup, but with this travel ban, we're not risking getting turned away or worse, locked up. No tickets, no hotels, no visiting local spots. Gutted." - @BillRoss12, May 30, 2025" Haiti's team, set to play in the Gold Cup starting June 14, 2025, in cities like San Diego, can compete, but their fans may not attend. Sudan and Venezuela, still in World Cup qualifying, face similar fan restrictions if they qualify. The global soccer community feels snubbed per Fans Left Out While Teams Play On The ban's timing, just before the Club World Cup, amplifies its sting. Fans from affected nations, dreaming of the FIFA spectacle, now face a stark message: 'Stay home.' The World Cup's promise of unity is at odds with this exclusion per Sky Sports. Advertisement Soccer thrives on passion, yet this policy risks alienating millions. Fans are left wondering if the 2026 World Cup will be a true global celebration or a fractured event. The ball is in FIFA's court to address this growing outcry. Next: Is FIFA's Club World Cup the Biggest Flop in Soccer History? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Travel bans, visa crackdowns and deportations: What to know as Trump bars the door
Travel bans, visa crackdowns and deportations: What to know as Trump bars the door Show Caption Hide Caption What we know now about President Trump's new travel ban taking effect How could President Trump's travel ban or restriction of nearly 20 countries impact you? Here is what we know now. WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping crackdown on legal entry into the U.S. through a revived travel ban, as his administration takes dramatic steps to block millions of people from taking up temporary or permanent residency. Trump's extensive effort to keep visitors from nearly two dozen countries out of the U.S. had led the administration to block most travel from places including Haiti and Somalia, revoke temporary protected immigration status for hundreds of thousands of people from nations trapped in conflict, clamp down on student visas − and all but cease refugee admissions. An unconventional approach melding immigration reforms and national security policy has resulted in the most dramatic restructuring of admissions policy in a generation, with the second Trump administration taking full advantage of a rare do-over in government. President Trump bans travel from 12 nations, partially restricts entry from seven others Trump expands first term policies to target new countries The Supreme Court in 2018 gave Trump permission to keep out foreign nationals whose presence the administration says would be detrimental to U.S. interests. Trump reinstituted and expanded a program last week that puts full or partial restrictions on travel to America from the citizens of 19 nations, with notable exceptions. Citizens of 12 countries were completely banned from entry beginning on June 9: Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Visitors from another nine countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, were hit with partial immigration and travel bans. More: LA, Olympic officials have 'every confidence' travel ban won't disrupt 2028 Games Athletes, relatives and coaches traveling for sporting events like the 2026 World Cup and the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028 were exempted. So were immediate family members of some existing visa holders, Afghan nationals who were employed by the U.S. and ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. Trump's administration also said Chinese students connected to China's communist party or studying in critical fields would no longer be welcome. And tried to stop international students from studying at Harvard. A leaked State Department cable also revealed the administration may require prospective international students at other universities to undergo social media vetting. The administration has also taken steps to deport pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Trump crackdown on legal entry draws less attention On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order that slammed America's doors to new refugees, halting admissions from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iraq and other war-torn countries. Trump moved to end temporary protected status for roughly 350,000 Venezuelan nationals in February, and is not expected to renew TPS for an upcoming batch. His administration also declined to extend TPS for Afghans and rescinded an extension for 521,000 Haitians that had been approved by the Biden administration. Citizens of Cameroon, in West Africa, will lose the protections in June. Without an extension, Hondurans' TPS will expire in July. Supreme Court lets Trump revoke safe-haven program for Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans The administration also ended humanitarian parole for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuela immigrants, making them eligible for deportation. Trump's claw-back of temporary protected status for citizens of countries experiencing conflict − a program run through the Department of Homeland Security that former President Joe Biden greatly expanded − also removes work authorizations and deportation protections. Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, said Trump is pursuing the "same sort of anti-legal immigration push" he pursued in his first term, the refugee program was substantially curtailed. "The areas that he has the clearest legal authority over are the ones that he is reducing," Nowrasteh said. While the number of refugees who come to America varies from year to year, 60,050 people were admitted in 2023, according to DHS. Trump's administration is only allowing refugees from one nation, white South Africans known as Afrikaners. He has repeatedly alleged, without evidence, that they are the victims of genocide. Stephen Miller, the president's Homeland Security adviser, told reporters in May, as he sought to justify the policy, that the U.S. refugee program has historically been used as a solution to global poverty and it should not be. "Wherever there's global poverty or wherever there is dysfunctional governments, then the U.S. refugee program comes in, swoops them up, relocates them to America, and you have multi-generational problems," Miller said. "The U.S. refugee program has been a catastrophic failure." Trump administration cites national security concerns The administration has cited broad national security concerns for many of its actions while refusing to go into detail on individual cases. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters during a May 29 briefing that seemingly disparate actions such as Trump's slashing of foreign aid, directives to universities and revisions to visas were all part of the administration's pledge to get serious about security. Bruce, who was being pressed to say how many Chinese students would be affected by new visa restrictions, stressed: "What the story is here is that the issue of being serious about safety for the country matters, and we're going to look at that at every single front." Trump's approach "perhaps has not been done before," Bruce said in the remarks, which preceded Trump's travel ban. An analysis of State Department data by the American Immigration Council, which opposes Trump's moves, found the policy could prevent 34,000 immigrant visas and more than 125,000 non-immigrant visas − typically for business and tourism − from being issued each year. The group's analysis of 2022 data found that 298,600 people from affected countries came to the United States. The countries included were identified by the Trump administration as nations "for which vetting and screening information is so deficient" to warrant a full or partial travel ban and those whose nationals "pose significant risks of overstaying their visas in the United States." Of the countries on Trump's list, Haiti had the most overstays in 2023, by far. Stephanie Gee, the senior director for U.S. Legal Services at the International Refugee Assistance Project, a group that has taken Trump to court, criticized "very arbitrary exceptions" for people like athletes. "I think it raises questions around that rationale that they're picking and choosing how to say and when to say somebody is a national security threat," she said. Trump did not explain in his order why athletes were a lesser concern. But the Olympics allows athletes from all nations to participate, and Los Angeles is hosting in 2028. Contributing: Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY
