Sea level increased by 1 million olympic-size swimming pools in 1 year

“We have this clear view of recent sea level rise – and can better project how much and how quickly the oceans will continue to rise – because NASA and Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) have gathered decades of ocean observations. By combining that data with measurements from the rest of the NASA fleet, we can also understand why the ocean is rising,” said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division in Washington.

“These fundamental climate observations help shape the operational services of many other federal and international agencies who are working with coastal communities to mitigate and respond to rising waters.”

The La Niña Phenomenon

Because of a mild La Niña, the 2022 increase was less than the annual expected rate. In the years with robust La Niña climate patterns, a temporary drop can be experienced in the global sea level as weather patterns shift, leading to less rainfall over the ocean and more over land. 

“With an increasing demand for accurate and timely climate information, NASA is committed to providing annual sea level observations and future projections in order to help vulnerable communities around the world better understand the risks they face in a new climate,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, a NASA program scientist for ocean science. “Timely updates are key to showing which climate trajectory we are on.”

A Long-Term Record

Thirty years ago, the measurements of sea surface height began with TOPEX/Poseidon and have continued through four succeeding missions led by NASA and partners, including the ESA (European Space Agency), French space agency CNES, and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The series’ latest mission, Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service), consists of two satellites that can extend these measurements through 2030. The first of these two satellites, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, launched in 2020, with the second slated to orbit in 2025.

“The 30-year satellite record allows us to see through the shorter-term shifts that happen naturally in the ocean and helps us identify the trends that tell us where sea level is headed,” said JPL’s Ben Hamlington, a sea level researcher who leads NASA’s Sea Level Change science team.