IMPORTANT: Google Earth for web is no longer available embedded within this page.
However, you can open the Extreme scenario sea level layer within the Google Earth web site.
The instructions in the video above will work, but you must follow them after visiting Google Earth
for web in a separate window.
See the written instructions below (which are up to date) for detail.
This sea level rise KML overlay shows projected U.S. sea levels for the year 2100 under an “extreme” scenario published in NOAA Technical Report NOS CO-OPS 083, Global and Regional SLR Scenarios for the U.S. (January 2017). This scenario corresponds to rapid ice loss in West Antarctica this century. Recent research finds that such loss is plausible, but we do not yet know its likelihood. However, NOAA’s projections indicate that deep cuts in heat-trapping pollution could lower the chances of this scenario occurring by half.
Different places have different projected sea levels due to local factors such as rising or sinking land. This map shows the appropriate level in each location. Local sea level rise values are available via Risk Finder: first search for the place you want, then scroll down to the extreme scenario section. This map uses the median (middle) subscenario of the extreme scenario in the NOAA report. It shows sea level increase relative to the local high tide line (technically, the mean higher high water line, based on water level records from 1983-2001).
For information on why U.S. projections outside Alaska are so much higher than the global average of 8.25 feet, see this article.
For information on the most threatened U.S. cities and states, as well as to learn about the methodology behind this map, see this report.
To explore this sea level projection in a 2D map in U.S. locations, navigate to this page.
Climate Central offers coastal area flood and sea level risk assessment services in the U.S. and globally, including infrastructure and portfolio analytics, digital tool-building, and other tailored services and consulting for governments, NGOs, businesses and investors. Learn more.
The Climate Central sea level rise group conceived and maintains this tool. Please consider supporting our nonprofit efforts.
To the many organizations that have financially supported Climate Central and its sea level program, including The Kresge Foundation and The Schmidt Family Foundation.
The purpose of our web tools is to provide local regions and policy makers with the tailored local information they need to understand and respond to the risks of sea level rise and coastal flooding. Our web tools are screening/scoping tools that use consistent data sets and analyses at the national level within the U.S., and a different consistent set across all other nations outside the U.S. For information visit Disclaimer | Terms of Use
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