Satellite altimeter data going back to 1993 suggests that global mean sea level (GMSL) rise is accelerating by 0.084 mm/y2 after accounting for interannual and decadal variability in GMSL, the effects of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, and potential instrument error; assuming acceleration continues at the current rate, total GMSL rise between 2005 and 2100 is estimated to be more than double the amount expected in the absence of acceleration, according to the authors.
Article #17-17312: "Climate-change-driven accelerated sea-level rise detected in the altimeter era," by R. S. Nerem et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: R. S. Nerem, University of Colorado Boulder, CO; tel: 303-492-6721, 303-641-0057; e-mail: <nerem@colorado.edu>
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