NASA warns of skyrocketing oceans

Since 1992, water levels in the oceans have risen, on average, by 7.5 centimeters, in some parts there is an increase of 22.8 centimeters and above, Forbes reports. The study was conducted using data collected over three years by three NASA satellites, and the results were published at the request of the media on Wednesday. Along with materials provided to journalists, NASA scientists in their press release emphasize that active work is being carried out in this area and according to researchers, the water level in the future may rise by about another meter.

“Given our knowledge of how the Ocean expands when heated, and how melting glaciers affect the increase in the amount of water in the ocean, we can confidently say that the level of the World Ocean will rise by another three feet (~ 90 centimeters), and maybe even more.” , commented on the results of the study, Steve Nerem, a scientist from the University of Colorado. “But we do not know how long it will take. Perhaps for a century or more. ”


Video from NASA about rising water levels in the oceans

Scientists name three equivalent reasons for rising water levels:

• The increase in water temperature in the ocean;
• Melting ice;
• Reducing the area of ​​glaciers.

They note that if ice sheets at the poles begin to disappear faster, the ratio of the influence of the above reasons may change and the process will accelerate, which will lead to an increase in water level by the predicted values ​​in the coming decades.

“The effects of sea level change are already felt,” says Michael Freilich, head of Earth exploration, NASA. He noted the floods caused in Miami by regular tides that were not previously the norm for this region in the past. According to him, rising water levels threaten a number of large cities and entire nations around the world, such as Tokyo. But at the same time, scientists argue that in different parts of the planet the water level behaves differently:

"Sea levels along the west coast of the United States have actually declined over the past 20 years - long-term natural cycles obscure the effects of global warming," said Josh Willis, NASA's oceanographer. “Nevertheless, there are all signs that this picture will change soon. "We expect acceleration in the rise in water levels in the oceans along this part of the coast over the next decade."