NASA: Global sea levels rise "unexpectedly" in 2024

NASA reported that global sea levels rose by 0.23 inches (0.59 cm) in 2024, exceeding the projected 0.17 inches.

A NASA-led analysis found that this increase was primarily driven by thermal expansion, a process where ocean water expands as it warms. This marks a shift from previous years when the majority of sea level rise was attributed to melting glaciers and ice sheets.

In 2024, however, two-thirds of the increase came from thermal expansion, highlighting the impact of record-breaking global temperatures.

According to NASA, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with Earth’s average surface temperature reaching 1.28°C (2.3°F) above the agency’s 20th-century baseline. As a result, ocean levels have now reached their highest point in three decades.

Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director of physical oceanography programs at NASA, emphasized the connection between rising global temperatures and increasing sea levels, stating that the ocean is responding to the planet’s warming.

Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, warned that the pace of sea level rise is accelerating. “The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected,” he said.

“The ocean continues to rise, and the rate is getting faster and faster.” This trend underscores growing concerns about the long-term impacts of climate change on coastal communities and global ecosystems.

Read next

10:30

NASA

Stuck NASA astronauts one step closer to home after SpaceX crew-swap launch

08:34

NASA, SpaceX

NASA, SpaceX postpone flight to retrieve stranded astronauts

NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of a replacement crew meant to return stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth from the International Space Station.

01:56

Innovations & Technology

NASA launches SpaceX mission to replace ISS crew, bring back stranded astronauts

NASA is set to launch a SpaceX rocket from Florida on Wednesday, sending a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS) while preparing to bring home two U.S. astronauts stranded in space for nine months after Boeing’s Starliner faced technical issues.

15:15

NASA

NASA launches missions to uncover universe's origins

NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.

07:35

NASA

NASA terminates chief scientist role, closes policy office

NASA announced on Monday a series of organizational changes that include eliminating its chief scientist role and shutting down key policy offices, resulting in layoffs affecting 23 employees.