Title: Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA
Headings: Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas
Climate Change Impacts
Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas
On This Page:
Overview
Key Points
Sea Level Rise
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer
Impacts of Changes in Storm Surge and Precipitation
Impacts of Coastal Water Temperature
Climate Ready Estuaries Program
Impacts to Coral Reefs and Shellfish
References

Content: Source: EPA (2015)
Click the image to view a larger version. Since 1901, global sea level has risen approximately eight inches. [ 3] [4]
In a particular location, the change in sea level that is observed will be affected by the increase in global sea level as well as land movement up or down. The motion of land can be caused by subsiding coastal lands, oil and water extraction activities, melting ice, or tectonic movement. The terms "local" or "relative" sea level refer to both the global change in sea level and the effects of land motion. Where the land is sinking, the rate of relative sea level rise is larger than the global rate. Some of the fastest rates of relative sea level rise in the United States are occurring in areas where the land is sinking, including parts of the Gulf Coast. For example, coastal Louisiana has seen its relative sea level rise by eight inches or more in the last 50 years, [2] which is about twice the global rate. Subsiding land in the Chesapeake Bay area worsens the effects of relative sea level rise, increasing the risk of flooding in cities, inhabited islands, and tidal wetlands. [