Sea level rise is speeding up in parts of the United States, with Southeastern and Gulf Coast cities showing the most pronounced acceleration.
New data released by William & Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), mapped by Newsweek , show that almost every coastal city in the nation has seen an increase in sea level in 2024.
Why It Matters
The U.S.’s coastline is densely populated and will be vulnerable to more frequent and intense flooding, coastal erosion, and the loss of critical infrastructure as sea levels continue to rise.
These changes will profoundly impact life in some of the country’s largest cities and could even lead to displaced communities.
What To Know
The 2024 sea level analysis, based on 55 years of data from tide gauges across 36 U.S. coastal communities, uses historical measurements at specific locations, meaning each city has a specific sea level increase…