Secret 'weapon' protects US naval bases from storms

After suffering up to $50 million in losses during Superstorm Sandy, Naval Weapons Station Earle, which houses some of the most sophisticated weapons for US warships, has found a very simple way to protect itself from major storms.

The base has allowed an environmental group to grow a nearly 2km-long oyster reef 400m from the shore to create a natural buffer against large waves that appear during storms, the AP news agency reported.

Oysters are grown to act as natural buffers to protect US naval bases. (Photo: AP)

The USS Laffey Museum in South Carolina and other military bases in Florida, Virginia, Alabama and North Carolina are also adopting this measure. "Having a solid structure like an oyster reef will help reduce the impact of ocean waves," said Bill Addison, a spokesman for Naval Weapons Station Earle.

The cost of cultivating oyster reefs is much cheaper than building steel sea walls or wooden fences to block waves. (Photo: AP)

Additionally, oysters help clean water and the cost of cultivating oyster reefs is much lower than building steel sea walls or wooden fences to block waves.

A bill to provide coastal communities with $100 million over the next five years to create "living shorelines," including oyster reefs, has been introduced into the US Congress.

According to VNN