The Island of Bermuda
May 25, 2023
Photographer: George Higginson
Summary Author: George Higginson
What will happen to the little islands? Some of our great vacation spots, and wonderful places to live, are tiny islands where life is calm and peaceful, the people are friendly, and the stress and cares of the world can take second place to a day on the beach. However, our tiny island destinations are geologically nothing more than a momentary patch of sand, barely breaching the surface of a relentless and destructive ocean. Rising ocean levels, geological rumbling, and destructive weather constantly chip and grind away at these island paradises. Geological history tells us that it has happened many times already, and it will happen again, slowly in some cases, quickly in others.
Bermuda is the top of an ancient dormant volcano; a pimple rising from the sea of the Atlantic Ocean 700 miles (1,127 km) off the eastern coast of the United States. Though little changed in a lifetime, the geological history of the island reveals constant changes in size and shape. Shown above is a photo of Bermuda’s south shore under attack from Hurricane Bill in 2009. This hurricane grazed the island so fortunately caused little damage to homes and property.
However, Bill was just one of many hurricanes to grind away at Bermuda. If rising sea level or a potential tsunami don’t destroy it, hurricanes will gradually grind it away. But don’t worry; this won’t happen for many human lifetimes in the future. We hope. Photo taken on August 19, 2009.
South Shore of Bermuda Coordinates: 32.3078, -64.7505
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