The global sea level rose by 0.3 inches between 2022 and 2023, a notable increase in average sea height attributed to a warming climate and a strong El Nino event.
Nasa's long-term sea level dataset, spanning over 30 years, uses observations from missions like the US-French TOPEX/Poseidon launched in 1992 and the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launched in 2020.Since 1993, the global average sea level has increased by about 4 inches. The rate of rise has more than doubled, from 0.07 inches per year to the current 0.17 inches per year, highlighting an accelerating trend.
The significant jump in sea level in 2023 was due to a transition from a mild La Nina to a strong El Nino. The La Nina phase from 2021 to 2022 resulted in lower sea level rise, while the El Nino in 2023 boosted the average rise in sea surface height.
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During La Nina conditions, ocean rainfall is diverted to land, temporarily lowering sea levels. Conversely, El Nino phases see land rainfall returning to the ocean, causing a surge in sea levels.Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director for the NASA sea level change team, warns that current acceleration rates suggest another 20 centimetres of global mean sea level rise by 2050. This rapid increase, doubling compared to the previous 100 years, will intensify flooding worldwide.
While short-term climate phenomena influence yearly sea level changes, the overarching trend over three decades indicates rising ocean heights in response to global warming. Recent recalibrations to the dataset show a rise of 0.08 inches from 2021 to 2022, underlining the ongoing impact of climate change on sea levels.
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