This session will introduce the basic natural processes

and potential impacts of the natural hazard

of sea level rise.

Session 10: Sea Level Rise

(Source: UN Atlas of the Oceans)

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management CourseSlide 10. 1, Lecture Outline

Introduction: Sea Level Rise in the Coastal Zone

Slide 10. 2, Introduction

Coastal Hazards can be defined as natural hazards that occur within the coastal zone. The hazards discussed in Sessions 6 through 10 can happen in the coastal zone, but occur in other locations as well.

The following natural hazard will be discussed in this session:

• Sea level rise

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course(Source: NASA)

(Source: www.globalchange.umich.edu/)

What is Sea Level Rise?

Slide 10. 3, Sea Level Rise Definition

Sea Level Rise is defined as a mean rise in sea level

(Source:http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/~tk/climate_dynamics/climate_impact_webpage.html)

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

Climate Change in Geologic Time

Slide 10. 4, Geologic Time

(Source: http://www.scotese.com/climate.htm )

Geologic Time Divisions

Pangaea

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

Change in Plant

Distributions Over Time

(Source: NASA)

(Source:http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/G/GeoEras.html

)

Climate Change in the Past 1,000 Years

Slide 10. 5, Past 1,000 Years

In the past 1,000 years, there has been significant variation in the

Earth’s temperature, with corresponding climate responses

(Source:http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/land/global/climchng.html )

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

Short term climate changes could be due to:

• Solar irradiance• Sun spot activity

• Dust in the atmosphere• Human induced changes

(Source: http://doctorgrooveband.com/sun-spots.gif)

Global Warming Processes

Slide 10. 6, Global Warming Processes

(Source:http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/climate/GCclimate1.html)(Source:http://

library.thinkquest.org/C005137F/automobile_traffic_pollution.jpg)

• This process can lead to an increase in global temperature when greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere

• An increase in global temperature can result in sea level rise due to the melting of glaciers

The Greenhouse Effect is a process that makes the Earth inhabitable

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

(Source: NASA)

Sea Level Rise Predictions

Slide 10. 7, Predictions

(Source: http://www.ghgonline.org/predictions.htm)

Sea level rise predictions are complex and are based on multiple scenarios of global temperature change and greenhouse gas emission

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

Uncertainties of Predictions

Slide 10. 8, Uncertainties

(Source: USGS)

(Source:http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/land/global/greenhou.html)

There are many global processes to account for in predicting climate change, plus a large amount of “noise” in the yearly temperature readings. This makes

predictions based on short term data very difficult to accomplish with accuracy.

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

(Source:www.globalchange.si.edu/ images/essay_rsl.gif)

(Source:http://www.ngo.grida.no/soesa/nsoer/Graphics/national/fig4_9.gif)

Current Evidence

Slide 10. 9, Evidence

(Source: http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/land/global/greenhou.html)

Through the variability emerge trends that are more convincing

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

Potential Impacts on the Natural Environment

Slide 10. 10, Natural Impacts

(Source: USGS)

Loss of habitat such as coral reefs and wetlands may have significant impacts in the coastal zone

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

(Source: http://www.usgcrp.gov/)

Potential Impacts on Humans and the Built Environment

Slide 10. 11, Human Impacts

(Source: http://www.usgcrp.gov/)

(Source: www.jri.org.uk/brief/ climatechange.htm)

As coastal populations increase, vulnerability of those populations to sea level rise increases as well.

7 million people live below the 1 meter contour line in Bangladesh.

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course

Class Discussion Questions

Slide 10. 12, Class Discussion

1. Where do you stand on global warming? What are your biggest concerns, (if any)?

2. What are the mitigation techniques mentioned in the Titus article?

• Which do you think are the best options?

• What are some of the pros and cons associated with each method from environmental, economic, and social viewpoints?

3. What is your impression of the Climate Stewardship Act? Do you think that it will pass? Why or why not?

4. What do you think about using the best available data/science to make policy decisions?

5. How are the uncertainties about sea level rise similar to those withhurricanes, floods, and tornadoes? How are they different?

6. How are sea level rise and global warming tied to the frequency andintensity of other hazards at the coast?

Session 10: Sea Level RiseCoastal Hazards Management Course