NASA has issued a global warning around the impending ‘wobble’ in the moon's orbit which will cause devastating flooding throughout the 2030s.
The moon's orbit, which is a controlling factor of the Earth's tides, has a natural "wobble" every 18.6 years that causes extreme tide changes.
As it comes to the end of its 18.6 year term in the 2030s, NASA expects large scale flooding to come as a result - particularly in low-lying areas.
In a study, published by NASA's Sea Level Change Science Team, they calculated that the next wobble in the mid-2030s will drastically change sea levels alongside climate change.
Explaining the new dangers associated with a warming planet, NASA said: “What’s new is how one of the wobble’s effects on the Moon’s gravitational pull – the main cause of Earth’s tides – will combine with rising sea levels resulting from the planet’s warming.”
Almost all of the United States' coastlines, as well as Hawaii and Guam, will see high tide flooding events surge as they’re affected by the higher seas.
“Low-lying areas near sea level are increasingly at risk and suffering due to the increased flooding, and it will only get worse,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“The combination of the Moon’s gravitational pull, rising sea levels, and climate change will continue to exacerbate coastal flooding on our coastlines and across the world.
“NASA’s Sea Level Change Team is providing crucial information so that we can plan, protect, and prevent damage to the environment and people’s livelihoods affected by flooding.”
The new report calls for nations to plan ahead to protect businesses and livelihoods.
