Articles tagged with Sea Level Rise
The first national-level assessment of coastal wetland submergence reveals that 84% are gradually inundating due to climate change-driven sea level rise. However, some wetlands may be able to migrate inland or build up sediment fast enough to keep pace with sea level rise.
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.
New research suggests that mangrove forests may not store as much carbon as previously thought, but instead release it as sea levels rise. The study found that localized areas may experience increased carbon storage, but the entire forest's storage is likely to decline over the next 100 years.
Global sea level has risen by 2.06 millimeters per year since 1960, doubling in recent decades, primarily due to accelerated ocean warming and reduced land water storage. The study resolves a long-standing mystery by closing the budget gap with improved instruments and analysis.
Seasonal sea level fluctuations are expected to intensify, affecting coastal ecosystems with prolonged submersion and changing flooding patterns. This can alter habitats for plants and animals living at the boundary between land and sea.
A new study from Drexel University finds that decentralized stormwater management strategies can significantly reduce flooding volumes, with a 11-13% decrease. These efforts include rain barrels, cisterns and water-efficient fixtures, which help minimize the amount of water flowing into sewer systems.
Researchers argue that Louisiana's climate-driven land loss and population shifts could position the state as a global leader in planning for climate adaptation. The study combines coastal geology with archaeology, demography, and public policy to outline a long-term vision for the region.
A new study explores potential options for Venice to adapt to sea-level rise, including relocating the city, movable barriers, ring dikes, and closing the Venetian Lagoon. The research suggests that no single approach is optimal, requiring a balance of factors such as resident wellbeing, economic prosperity, and cultural heritage.
A new study reveals that Waikiki is facing a fundamental shift in flood hazards as sea levels rise, transitioning from rainfall-driven floods to tidal process-dominated events. The team identified two key pathways, storm drain backflow and groundwater emergence, which will increase public exposure to sewage-contaminated waters.
Researchers found a significant reduction in tree-ring growth after major hurricanes, but these trees can recover quickly within two years. Coastal forests in the Northeastern US are vulnerable to sea-level rise and stand dead or dying trees, posing a threat to densely populated communities.
The study found that the 2023-2024 El Niño event triggered record-breaking sea level surges in Africa, with acceleration outpacing the global average. This unprecedented crisis threatens over 15 million coastal residents with flooding, land subsidence, and extreme weather.
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
The FAU project will integrate high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning to improve understanding of regional sea-level variability in the Gulf of America. The team aims to produce decision-relevant scenario outputs and empower stakeholders with actionable information for future-oriented decisions.
The University of Washington's STRIVE team will examine the atmosphere where weather forms, while the EDGE team will study the three-dimensional structure of the Earth's surface. These satellite missions aim to provide new insights into temperature, trace gases, and air pollution.
A recent study found that nearly every major river delta is experiencing subsidence, with at least some portion sinking faster than the sea level in 18 of the 40 deltas examined. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to the lives of over 236 million people, particularly in regions such as the Mekong and Nile river systems.
Research shows that flooding in delta cities like Shanghai can expand by up to 80% and be much deeper by 2100 due to extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence. A major adaptation effort is required to raise defences and construct mobile flood barriers.
A study conducted by Brazilian and Uruguayan researchers found that urbanization leads to a decline in biodiversity, with beachgoers being the most impactful factor. The loss of dunes also makes coastal cities more susceptible to sea level rise, threatening homes and ecosystems.
A new study has analyzed a rare flooding event in the Maldives in July 2022 and found it could become a far more common occurrence in the future. By 2050, predicted rises in sea levels, coupled with increased extreme weather events, may result in such flooding happening every two to three years.
A team of researchers, including URI climate scientist Ambarish Karmalkar, used interactive modeling to predict the impact of Antarctic ice sheet meltwater discharge on climate and sea levels. Their findings show that while cold Antarctic meltwater will slow human-induced warming, it also causes uneven sea level rise and significant cl...
New research shows that near-term mitigation could spare future generations around 0.6 meters of sea-level rise caused by emissions between 2020 and 2090 following current policies. The study provides a direct link between today's policy choices and sea levels hundreds of years from now.
A new study published in Science reveals that large fluctuations in global sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, rather than just at its end. This finding represents a significant shift in researchers' understanding of past climate history and challenges conventional wisdom on the middle Pleistocene transition.
A new Cornell University study models impacts of different emissions trajectories, finding that delayed reductions substantially reduce chances of avoiding thresholds for sea-level rise. The study estimates a 50% probability of reaching a 0.4-meter sea-level rise threshold by 2050 if emissions aren't reduced by 2050.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that North American ice sheets caused over 30 feet of global sea-level rise between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago. This discovery challenges decades of research and has significant implications for understanding climate change.
Polar geoengineering proposals, such as aerosol injection and sea walls, may harm fragile ecosystems and divert resources from deep decarbonization efforts. The Frontiers Forum Deep Dive series explores the limitations of these initiatives and their potential to exacerbate climate change.
Researchers found that northerly winds exacerbate ice loss in Antarctica by capping off polynyas, reducing ocean heat loss. This mechanism could be connected to human-induced climate change and potentially mitigated by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Experts say well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas would harm ecosystems and international relations. Researchers analyze proposals like aerosol injection and ocean fertilization, finding they fail to meet scientific criteria.
A 30-year study reveals East Antarctica's interior is warming at a rate of 0.45-0.72°C per decade, faster than global average, driven by changes in the Southern Indian Ocean. This warming process may underestimate future Antarctic ice loss predictions.
A new study published in Earth's Future journal reveals that sea-level projections from the 1990s were remarkably accurate, with global sea-level rise averaging about one eighth of an inch per year. The researchers compared these projections with recent satellite measurements and found a remarkable match.
Researchers used a fiber-optic cable to capture calving dynamics across the fjord of a South Greenland glacier, documenting a 'crazy calving multiplier effect' that accelerates glacial mass loss. The data provides a deeper look at the relationship between ice and water, shedding light on the consequences of continued mass loss.
A recent study warns that Rapa Nui's Ahu Tongariki platform and up to 51 cultural assets will be impacted by coastal flooding due to sea level rise. The research provides critical data for community discussion and planning, highlighting the urgent need to protect UNESCO world heritage sites.
A University of Florida team will create a decision-support system to help local leaders make science-based choices on land use, infrastructure, and climate adaptation. The project aims to reduce flood risk and protect groundwater using nature-based strategies.
A new framework identifies key causes of changes affecting river deltas, including climate change, sea level rise, and human activities. The framework provides a basis for prioritizing timely, locally grounded action to address the complex challenges facing these critical ecosystems.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that large rain events combined with sea level rise could cause severe flooding across 70% of Waikīkī, contaminating stormwater inlets and disrupting transportation. By 2050, the entire Waikīkī storm drainage system is expected to fail, posing a health hazard from contaminated water.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen analyzed old aerial photos to better understand mechanisms behind Antarctic ice shelf collapse. The study reveals that rising sea temperatures are a primary driver of collapse, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.
A PolyU research team found a rapid decline in global soil moisture over the past 40 years, resulting in significant water loss and sea level rise. The study suggests that precipitation deficits, global warming, and changing rainfall patterns are key factors behind this depletion.
The 2024 US sea level 'report cards' provide updated analyses of sea level trends and projections for 36 coastal communities. Most locations continue a trend of accelerating sea level rise, with notable exceptions in southeastern states and West Coast localities.
A new study analyzed phylogenetic relationships and predatory capabilities of Cretaceous marine reptiles, finding elevated rates of extinction targeting large and fast predators. The Cenomanian-Turonian transition, with high carbon dioxide concentrations and ocean anoxia, was associated with distinct bite force and species diversification
A new global model, DYNAMO-M, projects how 13 million farmers may respond to coastal flooding and salt intrusion due to sea level rise. The model simulates real human choices, such as adapting with salt-tolerant crops or migrating inland, to help communities stay and thrive despite the rising tides.
A recent study revealed a record-breaking increase in Antarctic Ice Sheet mass between 2021 and 2023, with significant mass gain observed in four key glaciers. This shift counters decades of mass loss, driven by anomalous precipitation accumulation.
The article highlights the vulnerability of US Gulf coast archaeological sites to climate change-induced sea level rise and extreme weather. The study calls for an integrated approach combining coastal ecosystem management with archaeological and historical resource preservation using Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.
A new study by MIT scientists finds that extreme storm tides will increase tenfold for Bangladesh, with what was once a 100-year event now striking every 10 years by the end of the century. The country's densely populated coastal regions are expected to experience more frequent and severe flooding events as a result.
A new study reveals that 81% of O’ahu's coastline could experience erosion by 2100, with a further 40% loss happening by 2030. The research used computer models incorporating satellite imagery to predict the seasonal movement of sand, resulting in more severe erosion projections than previous studies.
Research by Griffith University warns that over 43% of Queensland's productive aquaculture sites are expected to be impacted by sea level rise. The study projects significant economic losses due to the impact on prawn production, with annual losses estimated at AUD$12.6-127.6 million.
Research finds that strengthened westerly winds enhance clockwise oceanic circulations, transporting warm seawater and causing accelerated ice sheet melting in East Antarctica. This study's findings improve future sea level rise projections.
Researchers studied Aurora Subglacial Basin's subglacial hydrology, finding dynamic rivers that change over time. This new insight may alter predictions of rising sea levels and the role of subglacial water in ice dynamics.
Experts at Flinders University are calling for a new approach to water security on Pacific islands, where rising sea levels threaten local water supplies. Infiltration galleries, which extract fresh groundwater from shallow depths, may provide a solution, but more research is needed on their optimal design and performance.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Hawaii found that subsidence is a major factor in future flood exposure in low-lying areas. The study highlights that areas like Oahu's south shore are experiencing land sinking nearly 40 times faster than others, exacerbating flooding sooner than anticipated.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
Global glacier melt accelerated over the last decade, with a 36% increase in meltwater compared to the previous decade. This poses significant risks to drinking water supplies, particularly in South America and Asia due to rising sea levels and increased flooding after the melt season.
Global glacier mass loss has increased by 36% since 2000, with 6,542 billion tons lost between 2000 and 2023. This results in an 18 mm annual contribution to global sea-level rise, making glaciers the second-largest contributor after ocean warming.
Researchers generated a dataset of water flow beneath the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet, improving projections of sea level rise. The model predicts higher degrees of glacier melt and mass loss by the end of the century.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered tiny ice quakes deep inside ice streams, explaining the discrepancy between simulations and satellite measurements. The findings impact sea-level rise estimates and may reveal fault planes in ice cores, providing a better understanding of ice stream deformation.
Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a refined method for measuring and predicting gravity changes as the Nordic region rises. The study found that the Ferroscandinavian peninsula's land mass is more dense than previously known, with an upper mantle density of approximately 3,546 kilograms per cubic meter.
Researchers found significant increases in crevasses at fast-flowing glaciers, with some sectors experiencing a 25% increase. This accelerated crevassing could further speed up the mechanisms behind the loss of ice from Greenland.
A new study reveals that Greenland's ice sheet has experienced a significant increase in crevasses over the past five years, equivalent to adding a crack the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza every few days. The findings suggest a potential feedback loop that accelerates ice loss from the glacier, ultimately raising sea levels.
A new study projects global sea-level rise between 0.5 and 1.9 meters by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario, with the very likely range being 90% probability for the event to occur. The fusion approach combines strengths of existing models with expert opinions, offering a clearer picture of future sea-level rise.
A study published in Environmental Microbiology sheds light on how microbial communities in coastal groundwater respond to changes in seawater. The research found that these microbes play a crucial role in maintaining coastal water quality, but their resilience is vulnerable to climate change.
Researchers at Iowa State University have rewritten the equation for deformation and flow of watery glacier ice, which could lead to more accurate models predicting sea-level rise. The new value of the stress exponent 'n' is 1.0, indicating a linear relationship between stress and deformation speed.