Sea level rise is one of the most visible and worrying consequences of climate change. However, faced with the multitude of figures and predictions, it is sometimes difficult to concretely measure the extent of this phenomenon. This is where a recent visualization from NASA comes in, which, thanks to satellite data accumulated over nearly three decades, gives us a clear and striking perspective on the evolution of our oceans.
This video, the result of the work of NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS), reveals an increase of nearly 10 centimeters in the global average sea level since 1993. Although this figure seems modest, it is part of an unprecedented historical context. : never, in the last 2,500 years, have the oceans experienced such rapid rise.
What does this rising sea level reveal about the state of our planet? What are the main causes and the implications for marine ecosystems, coastal zones, and human populations? Let’s find out what this unique visualization tells us about a phenomenon that is already redefining the landscape of our world.
We owe this short video to Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) from NASA. Located at the Goddard Space Flight Center in the United States, this specialized unit uses advanced visualization, modeling and animation techniques to make complex scientific concepts more accessible to the general public. To do this, the studio collaborates with NASA researchers to interpret data collected by satellites, space probes and other scientific instruments.
This video documents the sea level change from 1993. It is in fact since this period that satellites have reliably recorded the change in sea level.
Between the beginning of the 1990s and the year 2022, the global average sea level would thus have increased by 9.85 centimeters. This might not seem like much, but NASA says this elevation is “ unprecedented in the last 2,500 years and counting« .
Origins of sea level rise
The origin of this elevation is none other than the anthropogenic climate change (linked to human activities) which acts in several ways. On the one hand, we know that ice caps which are losing ice due to increasing temperatures. This is particularly the case in Antarctica, the largest ice sheet in the world, where most of the melting occurs in its western part. This is also the case in Greenland, which is home to the second largest ice cap in the world.
On the other hand, the mountain glaciers around the world, such as the Alps, Himalayas and Andes, are also losing ice. Again, this melting contributes to sea level rise.
Finally, water that heats up expands more and occupies a greater volume.
Multiple consequences
It goes without saying that too much sea level rise can have many harmful consequences. Coastal regions and low-lying areas are becoming particularly vulnerable to flooding which can damage infrastructure and homes. As a result, affected populations may be forced to relocate, which can lead to social and economic disruption.
Naturally, the loss of coastal habitats such as marshes, mangroves and reefs is also harmful to biodiversity.
Flooding of agricultural land can also lead to soil salinization and therefore reduced yields, which has repercussions on food security and the economy.
At sea, increased water volume in the oceans due to melting ice and thermal expansion can also alter the distribution of water masses by altering temperature and salinity gradients in the oceans. This can lead to changes in currents and therefore on the redistribution of heat and nutrients across the oceans.
In conclusion, the visualization proposed by NASA highlights the tangible and worrying reality of sea level rise, a phenomenon with potentially devastating consequences for our planet. The data collected shows a notable increase since the 1990s, mainly due to the effects of climate change induced by human activities. The melting of ice caps, mountain glaciers and thermal expansion of ocean waters are the main drivers of this rise.
Faced with this threat, it is imperative to become aware of the risks and implement adaptation and mitigation measures. The protection of coastal regions, the preservation of natural habitats, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are all challenges that we must face collectively. Outreach efforts, such as those carried out by NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, play a crucial role in making these complex issues more accessible and inspiring action. We now have the information and tools necessary to act; all we have to do is use them judiciously to protect our future and that of future generations.
