GC52A-01
As the sea level rises the Earth does not stand still

Friday, 18 December 2015: 10:20
3005 (Moscone West)
Scott C Hagen1, Karim Alizad2, Matthew V Bilskie1, Paige A. Hovenga2, Stephen C Medeiros3, Davina Lisa Passeri2 and Dingbao Wang2, (1)Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States, (2)University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States, (3)Univ of Central FL-ENGR2-324, Orlando, FL, United States
Abstract:
Global mean sea level rise was largely linear over the 20th century; however, according to global satellite altimetry, the rate of rise has increased from approximately 1.6 to 3.4 mm/year. It is clear that this eustatic sea level rise has been predominantly caused by thermal expansion of ocean water (i.e., it is a manifestation of an increase in the average annual global temperature). Future projections of increased global temperatures, among others, introduce additional contributions (e.g., land ice loss and changes in land water storage) resulting in higher sea level rise that can only be accommodated by accelerations in the rate of the rise. Increased temperatures lead to changes in evapotranspiration rates, precipitation rates and patterns, etc. As the sea level changes the Earth experiences many other directly or indirectly related processes (e.g., population growth and migration, local variation in subsidence, etc.). Proper assessment of the local, regional and global impacts of relative sea level rise should include as many of these linear and nonlinear processes as possible. This presentation will explain our approach to understanding the relationships between these processes and their impacts to better equip adaptation strategies and enhance coastal resiliency.

References

Bilskie, M. V., et al. "Dynamics of sea level rise and coastal flooding on a changing landscape." Geophys. Res. Lett., 41(3), 2014, 927-934, doi:10.1002/2013GL058759

Church, J. A. and N. J. White, "A 20th century acceleration in global sea-level rise." Geophys. Res. Lett., 33(1), 2006, L01602

Passeri, D.L., et al. “The dynamic effects of sea level rise on low-gradient coastal landscapes: a review.” Earth’s Future, Online, 2015. doi:10.1002/2015EF000298

Passeri, D.L., et al. “On the significance of incorporating shoreline changes for evaluating coastal hydrodynamics under sea level rise scenarios.” Nat. Haz., 75 (2), 2015, 1599-1617. doi:10.1007/s11069-014-1386-y

Wang, D., et al. “Climate Change Impact and Uncertainty Analysis of Extreme Rainfall Events in the Apalachicola River Basin, Florida.” J. of Hydrology, 480, 2013, 125-135. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.12.015

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