Articles tagged with Sea Level Rise
A new Tulane University study questions the reliability of sea-level rise measurement in low-lying coastal areas, suggesting higher rates of relative sea-level rise due to subsidence. The research, published in Ocean Science, calls for a rethinking of how sea-level rise is measured in rapidly subsiding coastal lowlands.
The study found that the largest sustained ice loss in Greenland came from summertime melting of the southwest region, which has few glaciers. The researchers linked this to a climate cycle called the North Atlantic Oscillation. As global warming continues, the southwest region will become a major contributor to sea level rise.
A team of researchers, led by Julia Wellner and Karsten Gohl, will drill into the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to study its history and potential impact on sea level rise. The expedition aims to understand the past interplay between seawater and air temperature, which could provide insights into possible future behavior.
A new study found that Greenland's southwest region is losing ice at an alarming rate, contributing significantly to sea level rise. This finding has serious implications for coastal cities and island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels.
A team of researchers found that vertical land motion is the primary factor behind variations in relative sea level rates along the US East Coast. The study, published in Nature, reveals that land motion explains 75% of the observed variation, with ongoing effects from the last ice age being the largest contributor.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals that sea levels are rising faster in some U.S. East Coast regions compared to others, primarily due to post-glacial rebound. The research team found that when post-glacial rebound was stripped away, sea level trends increased steadily from Maine to Florida, indicating the impa...
Research shows Greenland's surface melting has increased dramatically since the mid-19th century, with a 50% increase in total ice sheet meltwater runoff versus the start of the industrial era. This study provides evidence that climate change is driving unprecedented rates of ice sheet melting, which could accelerate sea level rise.
A new study reveals that human-caused climate change drives uneven sea level rise, with regions experiencing higher rates expected to continue trending. Climate models suggest that up to half of regional variation in sea level rise can be attributed to climate change.
A recent study analyzed climate simulations and found that sea-level rise trends are largely driven by external factors such as aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers used satellite altimetry data to calculate the forced response in sea level, which showed significant correlation with internal variability.
A new study reveals a widespread decline in water storage in global endorheic basins, resulting in increased local water stress and potential sea level rise. The researchers found a net water loss of approximately 100 billion tons per year, equivalent to five Great Salt Lakes or three Lake Meads.
Researchers used detailed dataset to identify factors causing speedup and slowdown of tidewater glacier, finding geometry of fjord bed plays critical role. The study may help predict how tidewater glaciers contribute to sea level rise.
Researchers warn that Antarctica's ice sheet, which holds 190 feet of potential sea level rise, is under stress due to increasing meltwater on its surface. This could lead to the collapse of ice shelves and increased flow of ice into the ocean, contributing to global sea level rise.
A Kiel-based study reveals that 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean are at risk due to sea-level rise and storm surges. The sites face increased flood risk of up to 50% and erosion risk of up to 13% by 2100, according to a spatial database and model simulations.
Researchers found evidence of liquid water stored within solid ice in Store Glacier, which may explain complex flow behavior and improve predictions of sea-level rise. The discovery uses new data analysis techniques to reveal the presence of meltwater from surface melting that gets trapped in glacier ice.
A study published in Annual Review of Environment and Resources projects that global sea levels will likely rise 6-10 inches from 2000 to 2050, but more sensitive projections beyond 2050 depend on greenhouse gas emissions and projection methods. Rising seas pose a significant threat to coastal populations and ecosystems worldwide.
A team of researchers found that land area in Hawai'i vulnerable to future sea level rise may be double previous estimates. The 'bathtub' model underestimates the full extent of potential damage due to sea level rise, particularly on Hawaii's high-energy coasts.
A recent study found that urbanization is weakening the shoreline of New York City's Jamaica Bay wetlands, causing erosion and loss of vital mineral sediment. The marshes are being drained of essential sediments, leading to their gradual but dramatic disintegration.
Researchers reconstructed three centuries of sedimentation history for NYC marshes, finding a significant decrease in inorganic mineral sediments since the 19th century. This reduction weakens marsh structures, suggesting future preservation will require adding mineral sediment to dredged basins and the marshes themselves.
A global study predicts that coastal wetlands will increase in area as sea levels rise, but only if humans preserve room for them to migrate inland. The researchers found a key threshold of 20 people per square kilometer, and suggest using 'natural and nature-based features' to expand accommodation space.
A new study suggests that glacial geoengineering, making changes to glaciers' geometry near the ocean, could limit sea-level rise. The most promising design consists of constructing artificial mounds or columns on the seafloor, which could slow down the rate of sea-level rise giving more time for coastal societies to adapt.
Coastal wetlands in the southeastern United States are expanding and building soil to keep pace with sea level rise. Mangroves are showing increased surface elevation when warmed, indicating their potential as a natural barrier against severe weather events like hurricanes.
A new study finds that sea-level rise can significantly increase the tsunami hazard, with smaller tsunamis posing greater risks due to increased flooding frequency. The study simulates tsunami inundation maps for Macau and warns of increased dangers from tsunamis in the South China Sea region.
A new study published in The Cryosphere estimates that the collapse of Larsen C and George VI Ice Shelves could contribute 4mm and 22mm to global sea levels, respectively. This research highlights the vulnerability of these ice shelves to rapid warming in the Antarctic Peninsula.
A study on Greenland's tidewater outlet glaciers reveals that ocean warming and meltwater runoff contribute significantly to glacier retreat. The research found that these factors account for up to 76% of individual glacier retreat and 54% of variation across the glaciers.
A new study shows a correlation between cumulative carbon emissions and future sea level rise, with even optimistic scenarios predicting several meters of rise over thousands of years. The researchers warn that limiting sea level rise to 3-9 meters is unlikely without drastic action to reach zero emissions.
An international study estimates that rising sea levels will endanger UK salt marshes by 2100, with southern and eastern England facing a high risk of loss by 2040. The study uses geological records to predict the vulnerability of these ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study warns that failure to meet the 2°C warming limit will lead to sea level rise and dire global economic consequences. The researchers found that upper-middle income countries like China will see the largest increase in flood costs, while high-income countries will suffer the least.
Researchers have discovered volcanic activity beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which could impact ice-sheet melting and sea level rise. The finding suggests that terrestrial ice on the continent may be more resilient to current carbon-dioxide levels than previously thought.
Research suggests that the land-based portion of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet has remained stable for the past 8 million years, with minimal retreat in response to current carbon dioxide levels. However, the team warns that increasing atmospheric emissions could destabilize the ice sheet and contribute to sea level rise.
A recent study found that much of East Antarctica's land-based ice sheet has remained stable over the past 8 million years, despite rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This suggests that some ice on the continent could be resilient to a warming climate, but does not mean it will completely prevent sea-level rise.
New research suggests many coral reefs will be unable to keep growing fast enough to keep up with rising sea levels, leading to increased erosion and flooding risk. Coral reefs are struggling due to combinations of coral disease, water quality deterioration, fishing pressure, and severe impacts from climate change-induced coral bleaching.
A team of scientists has discovered that warm ocean water and surface meltwater are destabilizing Antarctic ice shelves, increasing the chances of catastrophic ice loss events. This finding is concerning as ice shelves slow down ice flow into the ocean and control sea level rise.
An international group of Antarctic research scientists presents two plausible future scenarios for the continent over the next 50 years. One scenario highlights reduced sea level rise and intact ecosystems if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, while the other depicts catastrophic consequences if emissions remain unchecked.
New research published in Nature shows that land-based sectors of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet were mostly stable throughout the Pliocene, a period with carbon dioxide concentrations similar to today's. The terrestrial segment is more resilient at current carbon dioxide levels, but marine-based ice may still contribute to sea level rise.
A new study suggests that many coral reefs will be unable to keep growing fast enough to keep up with rising sea levels, leading to increased erosion and flooding risk. The researchers found that growth rates for over 200 tropical western Atlantic and Indian Ocean reefs are slowing due to coral reef degradation.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that warmer ocean water is destabilizing ice shelves, leading to their breakup and acceleration of sea level rise. This process, driven by dual mechanisms from below and above, poses a significant threat to coastal regions worldwide.
The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration aims to improve understanding of global sea-level rise by studying the glacier's past behavior. By analyzing sediment cores and geophysical data, scientists can better predict ice melt and sea-level rise in the future.
The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration aims to understand the likelihood, timing, and magnitude of glacier collapse. The collaboration will deploy scientists with advanced equipment to measure ice-volume or ice-mass change in the region.
Sea-level rise and wave-driven flooding will make freshwater resources non-potable, threatening human populations on low-lying atoll islands. The tipping point for unavailability of potable groundwater is projected to be reached by the middle of the 21st century.
The Mississippi Delta has experienced high net land loss over the past century due to human activities and sea level rise. A new study reveals that only a small portion of the delta will be sustainable in the future, as growth rates were much lower than current land loss rates.
A study found that 90% of coastal freshwater turtle species will be affected by sea level rise by 2100, with some species losing up to 30% of their range. Researchers warn that turtles may not be able to adapt quickly enough to changing environments, threatening their survival.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions would significantly reduce sea level rise globally by the end of the century, especially for coastal cities on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cities like New York, Boston, London, and others would see substantial benefits from emission reductions.
A new study warns that subsidence, combined with rising sea levels, will increase the flood-risk area around San Francisco Bay by doubling it. The study found that areas at risk of inundation could be twice what had been estimated from sea level rise only.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that delaying global CO2 emission peak by five years between 2020 and 2035 could result in an additional 20 cm of sea-level rise by 2300. The researchers used a combined climate-sea-level model to analyze the impact of delayed mitigation on global sea-level rise.
A new study based on 25 years of NASA and European satellite data reveals that global sea level rise is accelerating, driven mainly by increased melting in Greenland and Antarctica. The rate of ocean rise could double the projected sea level rise by 2100 if current trends continue.
A research team detected an acceleration in global sea level rise over the last 25 years, with a potential doubling of total sea level rise by 2100. The rate is increasing by about 0.08 mm/year every year, driven mainly by accelerated melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
A century of observations reveals how sea-level rise is increasing tidal range in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, impacting ocean navigation, fishing, and energy sources. The study found that sea-level rise can amplify tidal effects in some areas, while decreasing them in others.
A Rutgers-led study finds that scientists won't be able to determine the exact sea-level rise scenario until the 2060s due to Antarctic instability. Meeting the Paris Agreement goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions could make lower sea-level rise outcomes more likely.
Scientists found that thinning small areas of floating ice at Antarctica's coast can trigger accelerated movement of grounded ice hundreds of kilometers inland. The study reveals that warming ocean waters and increased stress on the grounding line can lead to catastrophic ice loss, threatening cities worldwide.
A study analyzing heritage data from the Digital Index of North American Archaeology predicts that sea-level rise will destroy vast numbers of archaeological sites and cultural landscapes in the southeastern US. Over 13,000 recorded sites are at risk, including over 1,000 listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Researchers have obtained detailed maps of Pine Island Glacier, the fastest melting glacier in Antarctica, using radar surveys and snowmobiles. The findings show a surprisingly diverse landscape under the ice, with mountains and deep scour marks that will influence the flow and behavior of the ice.
A new study estimates that future flood risk to New York City from tropical cyclones will be driven primarily by sea-level rise, with storm surges also playing a significant role. The researchers project mean overall flood heights to increase by 0.7-1.4 m by the end of the current century and 2.4-13 m by 2300.
A team of climate scientists found that sea-level rise, not stronger storm surges, will cause future NYC flooding. Rising sea levels could lead to a 50-foot flood height by 2300, with smaller changes in coastal risk if sea-level rise is prevented.
Scientists discovered fossil evidence of punctuated bursts of sea-level rise in coral reefs offshore Texas, which poses a significant risk to coastal communities. The findings suggest that sea level may not rise steadily but rather in sharp bursts, with potential implications for future study and preparation for inundation.
Recent findings suggest that rapid sea-level rise of about 20m in less than 500 years occurred in the last deglaciation, causing the drowning of fossil coral reefs in Hawaii. The study provides new evidence of a meltwater pulse, associated with catastrophic ice-sheet collapse and the Earth's warming after the last ice age.
Researchers detect tell-tale differences in sea level rise around the world due to changes in continental water and ice sheet mass. The study uses time-variable gravity data from NASA's Gravity Recovery & Climate Experiment satellites.
A new study predicts shorter flood intervals for US coastal cities when considering both ocean water level rise and river flow, increasing overall flood risk. Researchers warn that as sea levels continue to rise, compound effects will further exacerbate coastal flooding.
Researchers found that naturally occurring climate variations, specifically El Niño and the North Atlantic Oscillation, drive sea level rise hot spots along the U.S. East Coast. These hot spots can amplify coastal flooding severity and are difficult to predict.
Researchers developed a new statistical method to calculate sea level rise, showing it's not only increasing but also accelerating. The study found the rate of sea level change on the East Coast is the highest in 2,000 years, with areas like New York City facing rapid increases.
A new international study using advanced modeling techniques predicts that extreme sea levels will occur more frequently, causing significant damage and loss of life. The researchers found that regions such as the US west coast and large parts of Europe and Australia are particularly threatened by 2050.