30-year-old NASA satellite record helps scientists predict trajectory of sea-level rise

Detailed logging of satellite data has helped scientists understand the rate of sea level rise around the world, a key indicator that can help experts prepare and plan for future disasters. Calculation of sea surface height began more than thirty years ago with TOPEX/Poseidon, started in 1993. Key data collected. But the latest is Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service), which consists of two satellites that NASA's official website says will continue making measurements until at least 2030.

"The 30-year satellite record allows us to observe short-term changes that occur naturally in the ocean and helps us identify trends that tell us where sea levels are going," said Ben Hamlington, a lead sea level expert at of NASA. Sea level change science team.

"We have a clear picture of recent sea level rise - and can better predict how much and how fast the oceans will rise - because NASA and the National Center for (CNES) have collected decades of ocean observations by using them Combining data with measurements from the rest of NASA's fleet also allows us to understand why the ocean is rising," said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA's Earth Sciences Division in Washington.

According to St.Germain said the observations would greatly help authorities, who in turn could help coastal communities cope with the effects of sea-level rise. According to an analysis of NASA satellite data, global mean sea levels have risen by 0.11 inches ). between 2021 and 2022. To put this into perspective, the agency said that number is equivalent to adding water from a million Olympic-size swimming pools to the ocean every day for a year.

Since the launch of the TOPEX/Poseidon mission, the world has experienced an average sea level rise of 3.6 inches (9.1 centimeters). Long-term satellite data predicts levels could rise 0.26 inches (0.26 in).66 centimetres) each year until 2050. "Timely updates are essential to show which climate path we are on"; said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, NASA Ocean Science Program Scientist.