Thread by @CollinSLKoh

All the hype about so-called "unsinkable aircraft carriers". Ever wondered why each of these outposts is so under-populated considering the infra can hold about a regiment of troops? Fact is that geomorphologically these artificial islands are unstable. scmp.com/news/china/dip…

What I understand, and this comes from a PRC government official who I shall not name, the artificial islands were built in haste. Environmental impact assessment and structural feasibility studies, which would have been required, were pushed wayside to expedite the project.

The geomorphological challenges pushed aside for the political expediency of having these artificial islands up and running wouldn't have been lost when construction was still ongoing. PRC and PLA scientists were already trying to grapple with it, like this 2016 study shows.

And then, Mother Nature means you can only mitigate the ever-present scourge of marine corrosion under such operating environment, like this 2020 study that tapped Yongxingdao (Woody Island) in the Paracels as a case study - which is instructive for the Spratlys further afield.

Yet another 2020 study on the corrosive effects on structures on an unnamed SCS reef.

Even into this year, Beijing continues to conduct research on the geomorphological stability of these artificial islands - which very plausibly indicates it remains a persistent problem and that no significant breakthroughs have yet been achieved to rectify it.

Even storage of petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) supplies poses a challenge given the extant marine environment in the SCS, especially the omnipresent nemesis which is none other than corrosion, as this 2020 study shows.

And geomorphological stability issues and marine corrosion aside, long-term habitability at these outposts also presents a particular challenge. This is a dated, 2007 study that highlights this point.

This 2019 study published focused on personnel stationed in the Spratlys, showing high morbidity (or, incidence of suffering from diseases).

This even more recent study published this June, concluding that many of the diseases concerning the head and neck suffered by personnel stationed on "a certain island-reef" are complex.

This study published just a few months ago was even more interesting, researching on the physical fitness of personnel stationed in the Spratlys in December 2020, with interesting conclusions concerning age group and links to tolerance under high temp and humidity.

And finally, a study published in February 2021 concerning the challenge of drinking and potable water on the SCS island-reef outposts. @PoliteIceCream

So in conclusion, I just want to say that it's easy to focus on the obvious - those impressive artificial structures that are so visual, and overlook the not too obvious challenges that afflict these outposts. "Unsinkable"? Sorry, I don't place my bet on such a label.