Sea Level

GROUND DATA: 1870-2018

Data source: Frederikse et al. (2020) 
Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/PO.DAAC
data graph

Sea level rise is caused primarily by two factors related to global warming: the added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of seawater as it warms.

The above graph, derived from coastal tide gauge and satelite data, shows how much sea level changed from about 1870 to 2018. Items with pluses (+) are factors that cause global mean sea level to increase, while minuses (-) are variables that cause sea levels to decrease. These items are displayed at the time they were affecting sea level.

SATELLITE DATA: 1993-PRESENT

Data source: Satellite sea level observations.
Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Rate of Change
3.3
millimeters per year
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This graph tracks the change in sea level since 1993 as observed by satellites. Data shown are the latest available, with time needed to allow for processing. (Source)

Note: You now need to create an Earthdata account to access NASA's sea level data. Register here for free. Once logged in, click "HTTP" under the "Satellite Data" chart on this page to access the data.

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