Extreme Waves Cause Devastation on U.S. Military Base in Marshall Islands

A series of extreme waves have caused widespread destruction on a U.S. military base located in the Marshall Islands. The Marshall Islands, particularly Roi-Namor, which is a part of the Kwajalein Atoll, experienced significant flooding from the waves. The U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll base, responsible for space and missile defense testing, suffered serious damage to various locations including the dining facility, chapel, and theater.

The waves that hit Roi-Namor were much larger than usual, according to Joe Sienkiewicz, chief of the ocean applications branch for NOAA‘s Ocean Prediction Center. The energy from multiple wave sets can amplify the impact, resulting in waves that are much higher than others in the background. This extreme wave event was captured on video, showing people inside a restaurant desperately trying to seek refuge from the powerful surge of water.

Rising sea levels, a consequence of climate change, may have played a role in the severity of the waves. The Marshall Islands are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Other factors such as coastal topography, weather conditions, tide cycles, and changes in water depth could have also contributed to the strength of the waves.

In response to the damage caused, the U.S. Army evacuated 80 people from Roi-Namor, with 60 individuals remaining to assess the extent of the damage and restore essential services. The priority at the moment is to clear the runway, allowing for the transportation of people and equipment to initiate the recovery process.

Col. Drew Morgan, spokesperson for the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll, described the recovery as a marathon, suggesting it could take months or even years. As a precautionary measure, Sienkiewicz advises beachgoers to be cautious and stay away from the surf line if they notice a wide variety in wave size.

This incident serves as a warning of potential future coastal dangers and highlights the vulnerability of low-lying islands to the worsening impacts of climate change. The Marshall Islands, a frontline community in the fight against rising sea levels, is a clear example of the urgent need for global climate action.