Threats to Coastal Archaeological Sites and the Effects of Future Climate Change: Impacts of the 2011 Tsunami and an Assessment of Future Sea-Level Rise at Hōnaunau, Hawai’i

Abstract

Climate change, rising sea levels, and increases in storm intensity and frequency are developing issues for many coastal communities and will impact significant archaeological resources across the Pacific. The 9.0 magnitude Tohoku earthquake and resulting tsunami that occurred off of Honshu, Japan in 2011 were natural disasters that provided the National Park Service with the opportunity to observe the effects of higher than normal waters on coastal resources at Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The 2011 tsunami inundated areas of the park up to 1.06 meters and caused damage to multiple site types and features. Although tsunami are not events caused by climate change, this natural disaster and its effects allowed insights into the future of park archaeological resources when sea-level rise and island subsidence are considered. When park resources were examined in relation to future sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios, models demonstrate that the park faces significant losses to archaeological resources with as little as a 0.5-meter rise in sea level. When the results of these models are considered with the estimated rates of island subsidence, SLR in this area could reach one meter or more by the end of the century.

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