Is sea level rise accelerating?

Global warming is causing our oceans water level to rise, but is it getting faster?


Asked by: Katie Ryan, London

Global sea levels rose by about 19cm from 1900 to 2010, creeping up by an average of 1.7mm a year.Since 1993, satellite measurements have allowed us to make more precise measurements of sea level change, showing that between 1993 and 2010, sea level increased by just over 3mm per year, almost double the average pace for the 20th Century.

As global temperatures continue to soar, scientists expect that sea level will rise at even faster rates in coming decades, resulting in a further increase in global sea level of up to 80cm by the end of the century.

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