Sea Level Rise

The primary cause of sea level rise is the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Greenland and Antarctica, due to rising global temperatures.

Global average sea level has risen by approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 centimeters) since the late 19th century.

Low-lying islands and atolls, densely populated coastal cities, and areas with steep coastal slopes are all particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.

Sea level rise can lead to increased flooding and erosion, salinization of freshwater resources, loss of coastal habitats and ecosystems, and displacement of coastal communities.

Salinization is the process by which seawater intrudes into freshwater aquifers, often due to sea level rise.

Bangladesh is the country most at risk from sea level rise due to its low-lying geography and densely populated coastal areas.

Subsidence is the sinking of land due to the weight of overlying sediment or the withdrawal of groundwater or oil.

Erosion is the process by which coastal land is gradually worn away by the action of waves, tides, and currents.

Inundation is the process by which seawater covers low-lying coastal areas.

Salinization is the process by which seawater mixes with freshwater in coastal areas.

A positive feedback loop is a process in which sea level rise accelerates due to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers.

A negative feedback loop is a process in which sea level rise slows down or stops due to the growth of coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems.

Sedimentation is the process by which sea level rise is slowed down or stopped due to the deposition of sediment in coastal areas.

Tectonic uplift is the process by which sea level rise is slowed down or stopped due to the uplift of land due to tectonic forces.

Vegetation growth is the process by which sea level rise is slowed down or stopped due to the growth of mangrove forests and other coastal vegetation.