The worst hit regions over the past two decades, according to the ESA data, have been the Pacific countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and vulnerable Pacific islands like the Solomon Islands.

CNN: New satellite data reveals sea-level rise

The Solomon Islands faces the prospect of becoming the Pacific's first failed state.

ECONOMIST: The Solomon Islands: The Pacific's first failed state? | The

SYDNEY A powerful earthquake in the South Pacific triggered a tsunami that destroyed villages and killed at least five people in the Solomon Islands Wednesday, according to government and hospital officials.

WSJ: Tsunami Destroys Villages in Solomon Islands