Sea Level Changes

Long-term sea level changes are primarily driven by variations in Earth's orbit around the Sun, known as Milankovitch cycles.

Nutation is a slight wobble in Earth's axis of rotation, while eccentricity, obliquity, and precession are Milankovitch cycles.

During glacial periods, large volumes of water are stored in glaciers and ice sheets, resulting in lower sea levels.

Eustatic sea level rise refers to the global rise in sea levels due to the addition of water from melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Isostatic sea level rise can occur due to changes in Earth's crustal thickness, such as the subsidence of landmasses after the retreat of glaciers.

The Pleistocene Ice Age ended approximately 10,000 years ago, marking the beginning of the current interglacial period known as the Holocene.

In the current interglacial period, the primary driver of sea level rise is the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Greenland and Antarctica.

Low-lying coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, as they are at risk of inundation and flooding.

Sea level rise can lead to increased coastal erosion, salinization of freshwater resources, and displacement of coastal populations, among other consequences.

Isostasy refers to the process by which landmasses rise or fall due to changes in Earth's crustal thickness, often in response to the removal or addition of weight.

Glacio-isostatic rebound is the uplift of landmasses that were previously depressed by the weight of glaciers after the glaciers retreat.

Thermal expansion refers to the process by which sea levels rise due to the expansion of ocean water as it warms.

Thermal expansion can lead to increased coastal flooding, changes in ocean currents, and alteration of marine ecosystems, among other consequences.

Eustatic sea level rise refers to the global rise in sea levels due to the addition of water from melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Isostatic sea level rise refers to the global rise in sea levels due to changes in Earth's crustal thickness, such as the subsidence of landmasses after the retreat of glaciers.