Global sea levels rose faster than expected in 2024, mainly due to thermal expansion caused by warming oceans. A NASA-led analysis found that sea levels increased by 0.23 inches last year, surpassing the predicted rate of 0.17 inches per year.
Unlike previous years where melting ice dominated, thermal expansion drove most of the increase in 2024. According to NASA’s satellite records, global sea levels have been steadily rising since 1993, with ocean dynamics like winds and El Niño playing a crucial role in heat distribution.
The rate of annual sea level rise has more than doubled since 1993, with global sea level going up by 4 inches over the past three decades. This long-term record is made possible by an uninterrupted series of ocean-observing satellites starting from 1992.
Thermal expansion takes the lead in recent years, accounting for roughly one-third of sea level rise. However, during 2024, two-thirds of the increase was driven by warming ocean water, as Earth’s oceans reached their highest levels in three decades.
The rapid acceleration of sea level rise is attributed to various factors, including wind-driven mixing and El Niño events that move heat into the ocean. The massive movement of water during these events can result in vertical movement of heat within the ocean.
The observation suggests that climate change has never been fixed or stable, but it’s a cause for concern as sea levels continue to rise at an increasing rate.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/record-sea-levels-in-2024-reveal-a-shocking-surge-in-ocean-expansion