East Coast May Feel Rise in Sea Levels the Most

[steven johnson]

Source: Washington Post

Sea levels could rise faster along the U.S. East Coast than in any other densely populated part of the world, new research shows, as changes in ice caps and ocean currents push water toward a shoreline inlaid with cities, resort boardwalks and gem-rare habitats.

Three studies this year, including one out last month, have made newly worrisome forecasts about life along the Atlantic over the next century. While the rest of the world might see seven to 23 inches of sea-level rise by 2100, the studies show this region might get that and more -- 17 to 25 inches more -- for a total increase that would submerge a beach chair.

On Thursday, the governors of coastal states from New York to Virginia released an agreement on Atlantic Ocean issues, including the need to prepare for sea-level rise.

Researchers are finding that climate change could bring new bad luck by untracking a system of ocean currents that performs the astounding feat of keeping the sea here below the average sea level.. . .the Atlantic's surface is lower here, a depression in the ocean 28 inches deep. . .
"You're getting less sinking, because is less heavy, it doesn't sink as much. That kind of slows down this whole conveyor- belt thing,". . . "You'd get an additional one or two feet over this global sea-level rise" along parts of the coast, Meehl said, an effect that would be strongest in the Northeast.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/05/AR2009060501342.html?hpid=sec-nation

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New York City may be in more trouble with sea level rise than previously predicted relative to other coastal cities. The fresh water from melting glaciers in Greenland would interrupt the Atlantic conveyor-belt which right now keeps sea level 28 inches lower than it would be in other parts of the world.

And that doesn't take into account storm surges.

The fact that the governors of coastal states from New York to Virginia have agreed on Atlantic Ocean issues, including the need to prepare for sea-level rise, is not reassuring.

[truthisfreedom]

1. Jesus, now I'm beginning to understand this. I didn't get it at first. The East Coast gets a break

because of the way the ocean currents flow... keeping the water level there lower than it should be? Amazing!

Well, folks, get ready to see a lot of Easterners moving into the Midwest.

[destes]

4. A whole new meaning to the term "Omaha Beach"

[newfie11]

6. Thats funny!!

I live in Nebraska.:rofl:

[Canuckistanian]

7. LOL

Let's hope it doesn't get THAT bad.

[nichomachus]

10. Or, watch for easterners

rowing into the midwest.

[imdjh]

2. If you will go to the very old houses, and note where they are not.

Yeah, you have the houses in Venice built right on the water- but that was someone's great idea and you'll notice that it's something of a rarity. By and large, the homes of the wealthy haven't traditionally been built right on the edge of tidal waters. The old plantations of Virginia, tend to be either on the bluff above the river, or set pretty far back from it. Traditionally, waterfronts were not very nice places below High Street, and above High Street you see the houses built to last.

Now we have million dollar homes set ten feet back from some ridiculous build line determined by flood tide averages and extremes measure at most in centuries- not exactly the timeframe climate and nature work on.

[Downwinder]

3. So how many sub sea level properties are we going to have to

subsidize protection for?

The polar shift is one that will be interesting and I might be around to see it. A polar shift might change the Continental Plate movement.

Maybe we can clean Washington out like the Aegean stables

[RedCloud]

5. I tell folks, "You will own ocean property eventually..."

without moving an inch.

[Libertas1776]

8. Well, then maybe

all those "elitist, bleeding heart liberals" from the East will infect the Midwest with their contagious progressiveness and tolerance when they move west. :evilgrin:

[LongTomH]

9. I remember a comedian who joked

about a guy who "taught body surfing on the coast of Kansas." This guy wasn't clueless - he was just ahead of his time.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: