Climate experts have predicted which areas of Essex could be underwater as sea levels continue to rise.

Climate Central, a non-profit organisation, have developed an interactive map showing their predictions of the area’s most likely to be worst hit.

The latest data on the map suggests that huge parts of the county could be below sea level by 2050.

In a report by Climate Central, they warn rising sea levels could push chronic floods higher than land currently home to 300 million people in the next three decades.

Following recent flooding across the county, the picture painted by Climate Central isn't a pretty one. 

So what areas in Essex could be underwater by 2050?

Canvey Island

Canvey Island would be the worst hit with the entire area underwater.

Echo: Image: Climate CentralImage: Climate Central

Southend-on-Sea

A large part of Southend would survive rising sea levels with Westcliff, Leigh and Chalkwell avoiding the impact of rising sea levels.

However, Foulness Island could be no more if the map predictions are correct.

Great Wakering, Shoeburyness, Paglesham and parts of Rochford would also be hit quite hard.

Southend Airport should remain above water level.

Echo: Image: Climate CentralImage: Climate Central

Thurrock

If the predictions by Climate Central occur, most of Tilbury including East and West and large parts of Grays and Purfleet could be underwater.

Lakeside retail park by the Dartford Crossing would also be submerged as well as parts of the A13 by Lakeside and Stanford-le-Hope.

Grays Chalk Quarry Nature Reserve could also see parts of its land below sea level.

Echo: Image: Climate CentralImage: Climate Central

Why is this happening?

Pollution of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause the planet to wamr up and in turn, this melts ice sheets, glaciers which increases the volume of the world's oceans.

According to Climate Central, over the course of 21st century, global sea levels are projected to rise between 2 and 7 feet, possibly more. 

They note key variables will be how much warming pollution humanity dumps into the atmosphere and how quickly the land-based ice sheets in Greenland and especially Antrartica destabilise. 

Activists are calling on the government to tackle climate change and to prepare for rising sea levels as a result of the melting ice caps.