Articles tagged with Sea Level Rise
A new study published in Nature reveals that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced significant and sustained ice loss over the past 11,000 years, driven by wind-driven incursions of warm water. The research provides crucial insights into the mechanisms behind this ice sheet's behavior and its contribution to sea-level rise.
A new study by researchers at Princeton and Rutgers universities found that sea-level rise will amplify moderate flooding in the southeastern US, while exacerbating severe flooding in areas like Seattle. Cities may need to prepare for more frequent severe events rather than common but less severe floods.
A new study models sea-level rise along North America's East Coast, including the impact of Greenland and Antarctica's melting ice. The researchers found that contributions to ocean volume from ice melt accelerate sea levels in the southern U.S. East Coast, while changing ocean dynamics drive rises in the northern part.
Research by University of Plymouth and Auckland aims to demonstrate coral reef islands' adaptability to rising sea levels, providing hope for vulnerable nations. The study uses a 1:50 scale replica of an island in Tuvalu to test the theory that shifting sand and gravel can form a natural barrier against sea water.
New research contradicts previous study suggesting East Antarctic Ice Sheet gains mass, instead shows significant losses. The findings indicate Antarctica as a whole contributes to sea level rise, with the East Antarctic Ice Sheet playing a more limited role.
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey describe the role of föhn winds in influencing Antarctic ice shelf behavior. The study found that these winds contribute to melt pools and weaken the ice surface, making it more at risk of collapse.
Researchers reconstructed the evolution of Iceland's last ice sheet, revealing rapid changes occurred when temperatures rose by 3°C in just 500 years. This period mirrors modern-day ice sheet behavior and provides evidence for significant sea level rise.
Wind-driven expansion of marsh ponds on the Mississippi River Delta is a major factor in land loss, with 17% of loss attributed to pond expansion. The study suggests diverting sediment to marsh ponds can halt expansion and reverse the trend of land loss.
A University of Georgia study predicts that 13.1 million people could be displaced by rising ocean waters, with Atlanta, Houston, and Phoenix as top destinations for those forced to relocate.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin identified four glaciers in West Greenland most susceptible to thinning due to their unique shapes. These glaciers, including Jakobshavn Isbræ and Rink Isbræ, are at risk of significant ice mass loss and contribute to future sea-level rise.
The Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) shows promise in representing actual precipitation events, with ~28% of AWS snow height measurements reproduced. Significant correlation was found between AMPS and AWS coincident event sizes at five stations.
A new study reveals that much of Honolulu and Waikiki is at risk of groundwater inundation due to sea level rise. Groundwater levels are expected to rise by up to two feet, leading to flooding in the urban core, with 86% of active cesspools likely currently inundated.
A new Tulane University study reveals that Louisiana's westernmost wetlands are vulnerable to sea-level rise, with over 60% of sites on track to drown. The research uses an unconventional method to measure sea-level change and provides a significant step forward in assessing the situation.
Research by Virginia Institute of Marine Science reveals rapid landward migration of barrier-island sands leading to significant loss of adjacent saltmarshes. The study estimates that at least 60 acres of back-barrier saltmarsh are consumed annually, with nearly 10% of Virginia's historical acreage lost since 1870.
Researchers find that methane and other short-lived greenhouse gases impact sea levels for hundreds of years after being cleared from the atmosphere, with some effects even more long-lasting. The study highlights the importance of understanding climate change duration and its consequences for coastal regions.
An international team of scientists reports that Antarctica's climate change could trigger a strong sea level rise, similar to the one that occurred 15,000 years ago. Global warming is causing layering in the ocean, leading to stronger ice sheet melting.
The Great Barrier Reef nearly drowned during the Last Interglacial period due to rapid sea-level rise from melting glaciers and polar ice sheets. The reef's shallow growth recommenced once the sea-level rise stabilized, but modern pressures such as pesticide run-off, warming temperatures, and dredging could threaten its survival.
The LSU Center for Coastal Resiliency has received $1.3 million in grants to support research on coastal resiliency and sea level rise risks. The projects aim to develop large-scale computer models that can predict coastal dynamics and assess hydrodynamic and ecological impacts.
The new research framework lays out two sets of options for support: curative measures to address unavoidable risks, and transformative risk management to build resilience against climate-related impacts. This analysis provides a way to work towards consensus and principled action for dealing with critical climate-related risks.
Coastal Louisiana's unique situation allows scientists to study future global sea level rise effects on wetland-dominated coastlines. The region experiences a relative sea level rise rate of 13 millimeters per year, with extensive coastal wetland loss and rapid erosion of carbon-rich peat soils.
Climate change and sea-level rise will increase the frequency of floods like Sandy's in NYC, with projected increases of up to 17 times more frequently. The study predicts that floods as intense as Sandy's will occur at least three times more frequently by 2100.
A quantitative model considers different rates of sea-level rise and economic factors to show optimal adaptation strategies. Researchers found that a buffer zone along the shoreline might make more sense if the sea level is going to rise quickly, but building near the coast could be suitable if buildings don't last very long.
A team of earth scientists evaluated how various processes affect past measurements, revealing that many high-quality historical records are from locations with reduced local sea level change compared to the global average. This suggests a minimum 14cm increase in global sea level rise during the 20th century.
A recent study has disentangled the impact of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption on global mean sea level trends. The research reveals that the eruption effectively distorted calculations of sea level rise in subsequent decades, masking the acceleration caused by climate change.
A new study reveals that greenhouse gases are already accelerating sea level rise, but the impact was initially masked by the massive 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. The study finds that removing the eruption's cooling effect from satellite records shows a clear acceleration in sea level rise over time.
A new study has found that ocean warming is the primary cause of glacier retreat on the western Antarctic Peninsula, with 90% of glaciers retreating since records began. This finding will improve predictions of ice loss and sea-level rise, as the Peninsula contributes significantly to global sea levels.
A new study maps zones most prone to sea level rise impacts in South Florida, identifying socially and economically vulnerable communities at risk. The research provides a foundation for adaptation and mitigation planning, informing regional resilience efforts.
Researchers found that the Atchafalaya Basin, with restored access to riverine sediment, is more stable than surrounding areas like Terrebonne Basin. The basin has emerged above mean sea level and maintained its shoreline despite rising waters and sediment loss.
Nuisance flooding in the US increased significantly in 2015 due to strong El Niño and rising sea levels. Cities such as Charleston, SC; Port Isabel, TX; and San Francisco, CA experienced record numbers of flooding days, with Wilmington, NC leading the way with an all-time high of 90 days.
A new framework proposes that rapid marsh bank sediment build-up does not equate to increased land loss resilience, according to researchers from LSU and Boston University. The study suggests that natural sediment recycling processes in marsh channels may be overestimated when vertical accretion rates are compared to sea-level rise.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that groundwater extraction contributes about three times less to sea level rise than previously estimated, with an accurate figure of around 80%. This revised estimate suggests that other processes may be contributing more water to sea level rise, widening the gap between modeled ...
A new method combines structured expert judgment and probabilistic inversion to provide a single, consistent set of probabilities for future sea-level rise. This approach aims to address the lack of formality in evaluating climate model uncertainty, which can impact policy and preparedness.
Researchers found significant differences in climate change impacts for 1.5°C and 2°C global warming by 2100, including higher sea levels, longer heat waves, and coral reef degradation. Tropical regions are projected to bear the brunt of these impacts.
A new University of Miami-led study found significant increases in flooding frequency in Miami Beach over the last decade due to accelerated sea-level rise. The researchers suggest using regional sea-level rise projections to better prepare for future flood hazards in South Florida.
Researchers predict that Antarctica's ice sheet could contribute up to 15 meters of sea-level rise by 2500 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. An aggressive reduction in emissions could limit the risk of major Antarctic ice sheet retreat and associated sea-level rise.
A new approach to climate risk management can help policymakers navigate trade-offs between economic growth, temperature stabilization, and carbon abatement. The method considers the multidimensional trade-offs of four goals, allowing for potential compromise on certain objectives.
A study by Rutgers University researchers links Greenland's melting surface ice to shrinking Arctic sea ice and strong 'blocking-high' pressure systems. The findings highlight the increased threat of coastal communities as sea levels rise.
A new study forecasts that a 6-foot sea level rise will expose over 13 million American homes to flooding and other hazards, with Florida facing the greatest risk. The research provides policymakers with detailed information to develop practical adaptation strategies for protecting land threatened by frequent and repeated inundation.
Researchers explore storing water on Antarctica to delay sea-level rise, but conclude it's unlikely to mitigate the problem due to the enormous weight and distance required. They emphasize the need for rapid greenhouse-gas emission reductions and substantial investment in long-term local coastal protection.
A new method quantifies monetary losses from coastal floods under sea-level rise, showing that damage costs consistently increase at a higher rate. The study provides estimates of average annual costs of sea-level rise over longer time periods, helping policymakers assess adaptation measures.
A new study suggests that traditional assessment methods overestimate the vulnerability of salt marshes to sea-level rise. Salt marshes can generally survive higher rates of sea-level rise than predicted by current models, thanks to their ability to grow vertically and migrate landward.
A new study combines two methods for estimating future sea-level rise, yielding a more robust risk range of 50-130 centimeters by 2100. The research provides critical information for coastal planners, who can use the tool to assess adaptation strategies and design flood insurance schemes.
Recent analysis suggests that groundwater storage has contributed up to 22% to slowing sea level rise, with climate-driven changes in precipitation playing the key role. Human-induced factors like reservoir filling and water pumping have also affected land storage capacity, although to a lesser extent.
The analysis highlights the importance of considering long-term impacts of climate change, which can last tens of thousands of years. Reducing emissions slightly or significantly is not sufficient, with the target being zero or negative carbon emissions as soon as possible.
A study published in Nature Climate Change looks at climate change over the next 10,000 years, finding that catastrophic impact will persist even after carbon dioxide releases cease. The research shows that sea level rise will continue for thousands of years, affecting land and population centers.
The West Antarctic ice sheet may experience catastrophic collapse due to ocean warming, leading to a 3-meter increase in global sea levels. Researchers have identified that parts of the ice sheet have existed continuously for at least 1.4 million years.
A new study predicts that rail services in the South West of England will be disrupted for over 40 days per year by 2040 and up to 120 days by 2100 due to rising sea levels. The cost of maintaining tracks and sea defences is also expected to soar, with estimated annual costs rising from £800,000 to £5.8-7.6 million by 2040.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that coastal marshes can adapt to rising sea levels through increased plant productivity and soil generation, reducing the extent of marsh loss. The 'CO2 fertilization effect' allows marshes to trap more sediment and create organic soil, which helps them keep pace with sea-level rise.
Researchers have made direct observations of the Greenland Ice Sheet's reduction and melting over the past 110 years. The study reveals that some areas have lost considerable amounts of ice during the twentieth century, with mass loss along the southeastern and northwestern coast contributing significantly to global sea level rise.
A new study suggests that Antarctic ice sheet collapse will contribute to a significant but lower-than-expected 10-30 cm sea-level rise over the next two hundred years. The research uses an ice-sheet model to predict the consequences of unstable retreat of the ice, which recent studies suggest has begun in West Antarctica.
The West Antarctic ice sheet could collapse completely if the Amundsen Basin is destabilized, resulting in a 3-meter sea-level rise. This process would be triggered by decades of ocean warming and would lead to centuries or millennia of continued ice loss.
Research found that southwest Greenland Ice Sheet movement decreased by 12% between 2007 and 2014, despite increasing surface melt. The study suggests that further increases in melting may not speed up the ice sheet's flow due to drainage channels established at its base.
Mangrove forests around the Indo-Pacific region are at risk of submersion due to sea-level rise. However, some areas such as east Africa and north-western Australia may be able to persist despite rising seas.
A new study quantifies the synergy of sea-level rise and big coastal storms, projecting a 4-75 fold increase in flood index across the US East coast by 2100. The combined effects of these two climate hazards could produce alarming spikes in flooding, with projections suggesting a 35 to 350 times increase in the Northeast.
A new study finds that burning all fossil fuels would eliminate the Antarctic ice sheet, causing unprecedented sea-level rise. The risk increases with every additional tenth of a degree of warming, threatening major coastal cities like Tokyo and New York.
Researchers used a high-resolution computer model to estimate West Antarctica's ice sheet loss over the next couple of centuries, predicting significant sea-level rise contributions. The study suggests that West Antarctica could lose 80,000 cubic kilometers of ice by 2100 and 200,000 cubic kilometers by 2200.
Researchers have found that sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay region deviate from global trends due to glacio-isostatic adjustment, with implications for future subsidence and sea-level rise. The study suggests that the region will continue to experience subsidence for millennia, exacerbating coastal erosion and resource loss.
A new study from Florida Tech suggests that well-managed coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean can keep up with sea-level rise through vertical growth, but only if carbon dioxide levels stay below 670 parts-per million. If emissions exceed this threshold, even healthy reefs will struggle to adapt.
Researchers found that a 1-2°C temperature increase can cause significant ice sheet melting, leading to at least 6 meters of sea level rise. This rise could be devastating for millions living in low-lying coastal areas, with cities like Miami and Dhaka facing enormous threats.
New calculations by researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute show a significant risk of major sea level rise in Northern Europe, with potential increases of up to 1.5 meters in Scandinavia, England, and northern Germany. The study highlights regional differences in gravity and land uplift affecting sea levels.