Study: Sea water to inundate Pacific isles sooner

HONOLULU (AP) — Low-lying atolls in the Pacific Ocean will likely be inundated by sea water sooner than previously anticipated as the planet warms, a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey suggests.

Researchers studied Midway Atoll and Laysan Island in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument for their report, and demonstrate the problems rising sea level pose for seabirds, Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and other wildlife that live there.