Final answer:
In summary, a sea level rise of 0.5 meters by 2100, as stated in the question, would not cover a typical house at sea level, as it is equivalent to approximately 0.117 stories of a building, much less than the height of a full story.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question addresses the potential impact of sea level rise on structures at sea level, specifically inquiring whether a certain amount of water rise would cover a house. To address this question, we need to perform some mathematical conversions. The first step is to understand that a single story of a building is typically around 14 feet tall. Given the conversion rate of 1 meter to 3.28 feet, this means that one story is roughly 14 feet / 3.28 feet per meter ≈ 4.27 meters.
Moving forward, the student references a sea level rise of 0.5 meters by 2100. To understand the impact on a house, we take the rise in meters and divide by the height of one story in meters: 0.5 meters / 4.27 meters per story ≈ 0.117 stories. In practical terms, this height would not cover a house, as it is significantly less than one story.
Furthermore, the question mentions past significant fluctuations in sea levels and the potential impact on modern coastal cities not equipped to handle even a one-meter rise. Insights into the history of sea levels can inform about the possible future challenges for urban planning and the risks faced by coastal communities.