sea level rise: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 14, 2026

News •

Record water levels caused by tides, El Niño are giving a stark preview of future sea level rise • Nov. 8, 2026, 8:00 AM ET (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Rising sea levels are threatening biodiversity • Oct. 22, 2026, 10:00 PM ET (Toronto Star)

As ocean threatens Crystal Cove cottages, sea level rise reality becomes crystal clear • Oct. 20, 2026, 4:05 PM ET (The Orange County Register)

Photos and Videos

Global sea level change

variation in Earth's gravitational field

Three line graphs display trends from 1850 to 2000: global average temperature and sea level both rise, while Northern Hemisphere snow cover declines, illustrating climate change impacts.

How greenhouse gases affect Earth's climate

How do satellites help measure sea levels?

How is sea level measured?

What would happen if Earth's temperature rose by 2 °C?

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

Global warming ocean warming saltwater intrusion sea level