Sea Level Rise
The links on this page provide answers to questions about how much the sea has risen, how much it might rise, and what the impacts might be. Resources for overall climate change adaptation planning, including resources for adaptation options, planning frameworks and more, can be found on the Coastal Adaptation Toolkit page.
Change so far
Climate Change Indicators in the United States: Sea Level
Global average sea level change from the EPA's Report on the Environment
Global mean sea level from satellite radar altimeters
Sea level trends at NOAA tide gauges (includes land movement)
Future sea level rise
Comprehensive Evaluation of Projects with Respect to Sea-Level Change features the USACE Sea Level Change Curve Calculator and related USACE Engineering Regulations.
Department of Defense Report on Regional Sea Level Scenarios for Coastal Risk Management (April 2016)
Global Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States National Climate Assessment (December 2012). This report is full of information about contributions to sea level rise, but be aware that the four scenarios are not projections—they are planning scenarios.
Sea level rise inundation viewers
Surging Seas Exit from Climate Central
NOAA's Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts
Sea Level Rise Tool for Sandy Recovery from NOAA in partnership with FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
What are the impacts?
Coastal Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region. SAP 4.1, especially Parts I and II
Risk identification checklists, from Step 3 of the Being Prepared for Climate Change workbook