Articles tagged with Sea Level Rise
Researchers have found that a weak ocean gyre near the Thwaites Ice Shelf allows more warm water to access its base, causing it to melt. This process is driven by waters from nearby melting ice shelves and can impact the stability of adjacent ice shelves, contributing to global sea-level rise.
Research shows that even optimistic temperature targets can lead to catastrophic sea-level rise, disproportionately affecting low-lying nations. An interdisciplinary team highlights the need for justice-focused policies to minimize impacts of sea-level rise.
Researchers used high-resolution radar systems to reconstruct past ice streams in Greenland, revealing they can 'shut down' rapidly. This insight offers new information on the future behavior of ice streams and how it affects sea-level rise predictions.
A new study found that 39 out of 43 California's coastal airports have assets exposed to projected flooding by 2100. Sixteen airports have assets within their boundaries, while 23 have assets outside their jurisdiction at risk from flooding. The study highlights the need for collaborative climate adaptation plans to address this issue.
A new study models likely future cliff retreat rates of two rock coasts in the UK, finding that rock coasts are likely to retreat at a rate not seen for 3,000-5,000 years. The researchers predict that rock coast cliffs will retreat by at least 10-22 meters inland due to accelerating sea level rise.
A new study combining GPS, satellite data, and numerical modelling indicates that existing models have underestimated ice loss from northeast Greenland, which could contribute up to 15.5mm to global sea levels by 2100. The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream's contribution will be six times greater than previously thought.
The discussion focused on the impact of ocean acidification, compound events, sea-level rise, and climate injustice, with experts highlighting the need for youth involvement in decision-making. The panel agreed on the urgent need for climate action ahead of COP27, emphasizing cooperation between nations to mitigate the crisis.
Researchers used drones to monitor Waikīkī Beach, finding that wave energy from south swells and trade-wind generated waves drive erosion and accretion. The studies provide insights into beach behavior and help inform management of the coastline for ecological, societal, and economic sustainability.
As sea levels rise, groundwater tables are increasing in coastal areas, causing unsaturated soils to shrink and leading to insufficient filtration for wastewater treatment. This can result in mixture of treated and untreated waste getting up to the surface, posing a health hazard to residents.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that hundreds of hospitals on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are at risk of flooding from Category 1-4 storms, with sea level rise expected to increase this risk by 22% this century. The study highlights the need for coastal hospitals to prepare for greater risks in the future.
A team of international scientists found that many densely populated coastal cities worldwide are at risk from sea level rise due to land subsidence. The study used satellite images to estimate the rate of land sinking in 48 cities, with median speeds ranging from 16.2mm/year to 43mm/year.
A new study examines the impact of sea level rise on building foundations and proposes a method for inspection and repair to lower costs. The researchers estimate that the annual repair cost for foundations in Mobile, Alabama, could total $90 million by 2100.
A new study identifies areas in Antarctica's East region that could significantly contribute to sea-level rise if they undergo basal thaw. The researchers used numerical ice sheet models to simulate temperature changes at the base of the ice sheet, revealing regions such as Enderby-Kemp and George V Land as most susceptible to thawing.
Researchers warn that climate change will increase uncertainty in international law governing maritime zones, affecting small island states. Technologies like GPS and satellite bathmetry may help solidify claims, but more data is needed to accurately delineate existing boundaries.
Scientists at Hokkaido University have quantified glacier mass loss on Kamchatka Peninsula, revealing a total ice loss of 4.9 billion tons between 2000 and 2016. Rising temperatures are driving this change, which contributes to global sea level rise.
A new model suggests Antarctica's ice shelves are melting at an accelerated rate due to the Antarctic Coastal Current. Freshwater from melting ice can trap warm ocean water beneath the shelves, causing them to melt further. This mechanism could increase sea level rise predictions by up to 40%.
A team of climate scientists predicts the East Antarctic Ice Sheet could contribute up to 5m to sea levels by 2500 if greenhouse gas emissions aren't reduced. Limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius can avoid this worst-case scenario.
A new study by Durham University suggests that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet can be protected from devastating effects of global warming if temperature increases are kept below 2°C. The researchers found that staying within this limit could prevent significant ice loss and contribute less than half a metre to sea level rise by 2500.
Researchers have centralized over 300 key figures in the Human Impacts Database, providing information on global plastic production, standing livestock population, and sea level rise. The database aims to promote collective quantitative literacy of the Anthropocene.
Research highlights the impact of historical development on US coastal zones' exposure to sea level rise and hurricanes. The study uses historical data to better understand how development contributes to increased vulnerability.
Researchers developed a methodology to attribute coastal glacier retreat to human-caused climate change, revealing that even modest global warming causes most glaciers to melt or retreat. The approach simulates the behavior of real ice sheets like Greenland's, helping predict major ice loss and informing decision-making for policymakers.
A new computer model developed by Louisiana State University oceanographer Giulio Mariotti shows that barrier island retreat will accelerate by 50 percent within a century due to rising sea levels. The model challenges the common assumption that barrier islands respond instantly to sea level rise, revealing a lag between the two.
Research suggests climate-driven changes in seawater density may disrupt mangrove dispersal patterns worldwide, particularly in the Indo-West Pacific region. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, highlights the importance of considering oceanic factors in understanding mangrove response to climate change.
A study led by the University of South Florida reveals a previously unknown 20 centimeter sea-level rise that occurred nearly 3,200 years ago when ice caps melted naturally. The team found exceptionally stable preindustrial sea levels until 1900, implying that global temperatures continuing to rise could lead to higher sea levels.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
New research finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could reduce human exposure to water scarcity, heat stress, and vector-borne diseases by 10-44% globally. The study also identifies West Africa, India, and North America as regions with projected increased climate change risks.
A new study predicts a temperature-linked decrease in the production of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for fish and human consumption. The researchers analyzed planktonic lipids in the global ocean, finding a significant decline in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) under worst-case climate scenarios.
A new modeling study predicts that coastal marsh migration will release more carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. As marshes move inland due to sea level rise, they convert land from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, releasing stored carbon into the air.
A new study finds that coastal wetlands in rural US areas will persist or expand due to rising sea levels, not be slowed by human barriers. The Chesapeake Bay region is expected to experience significant land loss, with over 600 square miles predicted to become inundated by 2100.
A new study by Stanford researchers shows that nature-based solutions, such as conserving marshlands and restoring beaches, can be as effective as concrete seawalls in protecting against sea-level rise. The research found that these solutions provide extra benefits, including opportunities for recreation, climate change mitigation thro...
A University of Maine study found that two major glaciers in West Antarctica are losing ice at unprecedented rates, potentially contributing up to 3.4 meters to global sea level rise. The researchers used radiocarbon dating and relative sea-level data to determine the glaciers' stability over the past 5,000 years.
A new study reveals that Nor'easters produce flood levels just as severe as hurricanes, but occur much more frequently in the Mid-Atlantic region. The intense storms can cause significant damage and disruption along the coastline, with some events surpassing those from tropical cyclones.
A new study published in Science Advances reveals that the environmental stress of too much water wipes out the plant growth benefits of higher CO2 levels. Rising sea levels have caused the effects of increased CO2 to disappear in a 33-year field experiment, highlighting the critical need for conservation and adaptation efforts.
A new study found that extreme weather events can mobilize hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of sand into beach systems, potentially offsetting shoreline retreat caused by sea level rise. Researchers used high-resolution measurements and specialized equipment to track sand movement before and after storms.
The study found that even if Earth's climate stopped warming, it would be difficult to rebuild the ice shelf once it has fallen apart. The researchers suggest that the ice shelf may not recover unless the future climate cools considerably. This has significant implications for sea-level rise and the stability of polar ice sheets.
Jeanine Ash is part of a US effort to recover sediment cores from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which will help answer questions about sea level rise and global warming. The team aims to drill through up to 1,000 feet of ice in two places on the Ross Ice Shelf.
Researcher Douglas Kurtze's study reveals that gravitational pull can cause local sea level drops near melting ice sheets, contrary to global-mean sea level rises. The phenomenon occurs due to the weakening of gravity as the ice mass decreases.
The study analyzed tide gauge observations along coastlines in Europe and found that changes in storm surges have altered the likelihood of extreme sea-level events. While some areas see an increase in extreme flooding, others see a decrease, with human-induced climate change partly to blame.
A new study provides evidence that long-term warming of the Amundsen Sea, a key contributor to global sea level rise, is linked to rising greenhouse gases. The research suggests that ocean temperatures in the region have been rising since before records began and are expected to continue if greenhouse gas emissions increase.
Researchers analyzed two peat cores to discover that higher concentrations of charcoal occurred between 9,000 to 4,000 years ago due to larger forest fires. Mangrove pollen found in the earlier period indicates rising sea levels and increased salt, contributing to dry conditions suitable for massive forest fires.
Researchers reconstructed the advance of Kangiata Nunaata Sermia glacier, finding it moved at a rate comparable to modern retreat. The glacier's advance coincided with Norse settlements, contradicting the common assumption that climate warming leads to glacial retreat.
A study has shown that wind variations over the southern Red Sea are the main drivers of sea-level extremes, driving levels up and down depending on wind direction. This understanding is crucial for coastal planning and management to mitigate the impact of storm surges and coastal erosion.
A new research study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst fundamentally changes our understanding of how salt marshes acquire sediment. The majority of sediments are delivered by the ocean during storms, reversing commonly held assumptions about the role of rivers in building and maintaining these ecosystems. This discovery has s...
Researchers predict Greenland ice sheet will lose up to 3.54 meters of sea level equivalent by 3000, under unabated warming conditions. In contrast, reduced emissions pathway may see a loss of only 0.16-0.4 meters sea-level equivalent.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that glacier ice flow is more sensitive to stress than previously calculated, with revised estimates potentially refining predictions of sea level rise. The improved model could help glaciologists better understand the impact of Antarctic ice flow on future sea levels.
Climate change is threatening African cultural and natural heritage sites, with 56 of 284 sites identified as highly exposed to extreme sea levels and erosion. The number of affected sites is projected to triple by 2050 under high emissions scenarios, highlighting the need for urgent climate change adaptation measures.
A new study published in The Cryosphere finds that warm seawater intrusion under glaciers may cause much higher rates of melting at the glacier bottom. This could lead to projected ice sheet volume loss being 10-50% higher, or more than doubling over the next century.
Researchers found that microbes in the soils generate methane gas, which is then processed as it moves through dead trees. The findings shed light on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions from ghost forests, a growing concern due to rising sea levels.
A submersible robot will explore three of Greenland's glaciers with a remotely operated vehicle Nereid Under Ice (NUI), mapping seafloor topography and retrieving sediment cores to study moraines and their impact on glacier stability. The mission aims to improve model projections for future sea level rise.
A UConn study found that adding 5-7 centimeters of sediment to salt marshes in Connecticut increases plant growth, keeping the marsh afloat and reducing costs. The technique can help coastlines in the Northeast stay ahead of rising sea levels by promoting carbon sequestration.
Scientists predict that continued global warming could lead to a five-meter sea level rise by 3000 CE, making large areas uninhabitable without extensive modification. The Antarctic ice sheet's collapse, driven by West Antarctica's grounding on a bed below sea level, is the primary reason for this decay.
The study predicts that the Balearic Islands will lose between 56 and 65% of their beach area permanently due to climate change. This loss is mainly attributed to sea level rise, which will cause devastating inroads on the coastline.
A new study led by Imperial College London scientists has found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) was larger than previously thought during colder periods in the Miocene, contributing significantly to sea-level rise events millions of years ago. This insight will help researchers predict the future of the WAIS as the world warms.
A new study predicts that future tsunamis will become more destructive as sea levels rise, particularly in the US West Coast. Rising sea levels will amplify tsunami heights even from smaller earthquakes, making coastal cities more vulnerable to devastation.
A study reconstructed ocean warming history in the Arctic Ocean, finding it began rapidly warming at the start of the 20th century due to Atlantification from the Atlantic Ocean. This warming has led to sea ice retreat and salinity increases.
A new data-model study suggests that the Antarctic Ice Sheet's tipping point was reached within a decade, leading to centuries of ice mass loss and potential irreversible ice retreat. The research team analyzed sediment cores and computer models to identify evidence of post-glacial tipping points in the past.
Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay has lost 62% of its habitable upland area since 1967, with further decline predicted within 15-30 years. Fully protecting and restoring the town would cost $250m-$350m.
Satellite images reveal a substantial increase in saltmarsh area and stable trends of tidal flat areas after 2012, driven by decreased anthropogenic activities and increased conservation and restoration efforts. Conservation efforts have positively impacted China's coastal wetlands, mitigating the loss of these important ecosystems.
A new MIT study provides detailed information on the wave-damping benefits of marsh plants, enabling coastal restoration planners to determine the area needed for mitigation. The analysis incorporates plant morphology and interactions with currents and waves, providing a more quantitative way to estimate the value provided by marshes.
Researchers found that changes to the ice sheet immediately impact the groundwater underlying the island, affecting Arctic hydrology and ocean circulation patterns. The discovery sheds new light on the importance of groundwater in responding to climate change.