Scientists studying hidden recorders of changing sea levels at Sentosa

Corals can provide a good gauge of sea level history over the past century. NTU’s Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and the Asian School of the Environment (ASE) researchers have found hidden recorders of changing sea levels at Sentosa.

They are studying the colonies of corals - called microatolls - to uncover insights to sea levels change. Microatolls are single colonies of coral grown over decades. They are typically found below the intertidal zone, where they mostly remain completely submerged at low tide.

The corals, first discovered two years ago, can provide clues about sea levels going back thousands of years, when data from traditional instruments were not available. More records facilitate scientists in piecing together a more complete picture of sea level in Singapore in the past, which would allow better models and forecasts for Singapore and the region.