
Global Sea Levels Rising Faster Than Expected Warmest Year on Record Pushes Oceans to New Heights
Global sea levels rose at an alarming rate in 2024 surpassing previous predictions due to an unusual spike in ocean warming and melting land-based ice. According to a NASA led analysis the rate of rise last year was 0.23 inches (0.59 cm) per year, significantly higher than the expected 0.17 inches (0.43 cm) per year.
Scientists attribute this sharp increase primarily to the thermal expansion of seawater process where ocean water expands as it warms. In a surprising shift, two-thirds of last year’s sea level rise came from thermal expansion reversing the usual trend where melting glaciers and ice sheets were the dominant contributors.
Josh Willis sea level researcher at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California say “The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected, Ever...