Yokwe! N7 4.139 E171 16.990
Welcome to the beautiful country of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).
The Marshall Islands first emerged from the bottom of the Pacific Plate 70 million years ago in much the same way the Hawaiian Islands were formed, and are still being formed. The islands were initially high, volcanic islands, but over the course of the ensuing 40 million years, they slowly sank back into the ocean. As the volcanic peaks receeded, coral reefs grew in the warm ocean. The coral grows and erodes, and the broken pieces pile up to become islands. There are two nearly parallel chains of 29 coral atolls, the Ratak (Sunrise) and Ralik (Sunset) chains.
Global Warming is a serious concern in the RMI. Rising sea levels could increase flooding around the islands, especially at high tide and during storms.
From the given coordinates estimate the height of the ground (in feet or meters) above the current sea level. Walk north to the lagoon and scan the distant islands. Are these islands significantly higher than the island you are on? Also from the given coordinates, describe the construction to protect the road or airport runway from rising tides or sea level?
To log this cache email to the cache owner your estimate for the elevation at the given coordinates and description of the object of commemoration you see at the given coordinates.
Optional: Post a photo of you and your group somewhere near the Majuro airport. Have a wonderful visit to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. YOKWE!