One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius is the "underwater waterfall," which is believed to have been formed due to volcanic activity. Mauritius is located on a continental shelf that was formed relatively recently. The waters surrounding the island are generally no deeper than 200 meters, but once they go beyond the edge of the shelf, the depth increases dramatically by several kilometers. Here, sand around the island is pushed by ocean currents into the depths through a gap, creating the illusion of a waterfall. In other words, this picturesque landscape is simply the result of a straightforward, one-way erosion process.
When I saw a picture of the underwater waterfall, I was amazed—it looked so majestic and unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Since it’s such a unique and unfamiliar formation, I have a lot of questions about it. Have you ever seen the underwater waterfall in person? Also, I’m curious—if you take a boat near it, do the ocean currents make it difficult to navigate? Also, I noticed that there’s a landform created by erosion called the continental shelf around the island. That made me wonder how do Mauritius decides where their territory and territorial waters end?
As Korea enters the spring season, temperatures are gradually rising, but the daily temperature range remains large and the weather is still quite changeable. In most parts of the country, including Seoul, daytime temperatures are reaching around 20°C, bringing warm weather. However, at night, temperatures drop sharply, making it feel chilly. In some regions, dry weather warnings have been issued, increasing the risk of wildfires. In fact, a massive wildfire recently broke out in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, destroying tens of thousands of hectares of forest.
As the weather has gotten much warmer with spring approaching, many flowers ( like cherry blossoms) are blooming, and various flower festivals are being held across the country. These days, a lot of people are heading out to cherry blossom festival. Compared to a few years ago, I can really feel that the average blooming time has gotten earlier.
The effects of climate change are also becoming increasingly evident. Over the past 100 years, Korea's average annual temperature has risen by about 1.8°C, which is higher than the global average. As a result, summers are becoming longer while winters are getting shorter, and seasonal changes, such as the blooming of cherry blossoms, are occurring earlier than before. Recently, due to abnormal weather conditions, it even snowed at the end of March. What is the weather and climate change situation like in Mauritius these days?
Mauritius is making various efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development. In particular, awareness of environmental issues significantly increased after the oil spill from the Japanese ship Wakashio in 2020. At the time, the government declared an environmental emergency and concentrated all efforts on removing the spilled oil and restoring the marine ecosystem. Long-term restoration efforts are still ongoing to support the recovery of the ecosystem.
Mauritius has also set a goal of transitioning 35–40% of its total energy to renewable sources by 2030, actively investing in solar, wind, and bioenergy. In addition, the country is promoting eco-friendly building technologies to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. The use of single-use plastic products is gradually being restricted, with a growing emphasis on biodegradable alternatives. In the transportation sector, the government is expanding eco-friendly options by increasing the use of electric vehicles and improving public transit infrastructure.
To respond effectively to climate change, Mauritius has established and is implementing a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). This plan focuses not just on short-term responses but also on mitigating the long-term impacts of climate change and enhancing national resilience. Policies are especially focused on sectors vulnerable to climate change, such as agriculture, water resources, and coastal areas.
In terms of water management, the plan includes strategies like efficient use of reservoirs and groundwater, expansion of rainwater harvesting systems, and infrastructure improvements to increase water use efficiency. These efforts are designed to address long-term water scarcity issues caused by climate change.
For coastal areas, where sea level rise and erosion are becoming more severe, both physical protective infrastructure—like seawalls and breakwaters—and nature-based solutions—like mangrove forest restoration—are being pursued. These measures are essential not only for restoring coastal ecosystems but also for protecting the livelihoods of nearby communities.
I heard there was an oil spill from a Japanese ship back in 2020. Since oil spills in the ocean usually take a long time to clean up, I'm wondering if the sea has fully recovered by now. I'm also curious about what the situation was like back then, and what kind of actions were taken by the government and individuals to deal with it.
I'm a Haneul High School who is interested in science and likes to talk with friends. I want to communicate and be a good friend with you guys. I think Mauritius is a country where the sea is really nice. I found out that there is an underwater waterfall. I'd like to visit Mauritius if I have a chance, so if you have any things to introduce to me about Mauritius, please let me know!
