Is YOUR hometown at risk? Terrifying interactive map reveals the towns and cities that could be plunged UNDERWATER if the West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapses

The idea of your hometown being plunged underwater might sound like a nightmare. 

But scientists have warned that it could soon become a reality. 

In a new study, published yesterday, researchers from the Australian National University warned that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is on the verge of a 'catastrophic' collapse.

If it did collapse, experts predict the huge ice mass would raise global sea levels by more than 9.8ft (three metres) – submerging entire coastal cities and communities.

Climate Central's Coastal Risk Screening Tool shows the areas around the globe that would be worst hit.

Here in the UK, people living on the east coast of England would be impacted the most. 

Coastal hubs including Hull, Skegness and Grimsby would be plunged underwater, while places as far inland as Peterborough and Lincoln would also become waterlogged. 

So, is your hometown at risk?  

To use the tool, simply set the water level at 9.8ft (three metres) and the areas that would be plunged underwater will appear in red on the map.

The UK

The east coast of England would be worst impacted if sea levels rose by 9.8ft, with Hull, Skegness and Grimsby all plunged underwater.

Further south, swathes of London would be affected.

Several areas on the River Thames gleam red on the map, including Bermondsey, Greenwich, Battersea, and Chelsea.

While the east coast of England would be most affected, several towns and cities on the west coast are also in the firing line, according to Climate Central.

Neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Weston–super–Mare, Newport and Cardiff would all be plunged underwater, alongside parts of Southport and Blackpool.

Residents in Northern Ireland and Scotland can mostly rest easy though, with few areas set to be affected.

Europe

In Europe, Climate Central predicts that the entire coast stretching from Calais to south Denmark would be underwater. 

In France, Montpellier would be submerged, along with Venice, Pisa, and Ravenna in Italy. 

Elsewhere, much of the Romanian coastline would be impacted, as well as Gdansk in Poland. 

The US

Most of the US would be unaffected by the sea level rise, according to Climate Central's map. 

However, several coastal cities and communities have an uncertain future. 

New Orleans is no stranger to flooding, and the map shows that the coastline stretching from this city all the way to Galveston, Texas, would be underwater. 

In Florida, several densely populated areas are also in the firing line – including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Key West. 

Further up the east coast, large parts of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston would also be wiped out. 

South America

Climate Central's map shows that several large cities along the east and northern coast would be submerged. 

The entire area stretching from Buenos Aires to Rosario in Argentina glares bright red on the map. 

Meanwhile, much of the north coast of Brazil would be underwater – including Belem, Macapa, and Santarem.

Asia

Asia would be one of the worst affected continents, according to Climate Central. 

Most of Sri Lanka's coastline would dip underwater, alongside several major cities in India - including Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, and Kolkata. 

In Thailand, Bangkok and much of the surrounding area would be submerged, while in Vietnam, the entire southern tip, as well as Hanoi would be underwater. 

Large parts of major Japanese cities glow red on the map - including Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Niigata. 

Meanwhile, much of the east coast of China would be underwater - including the major cities of Shanghai and Beijing.