California slowly sinking into the Pacific Ocean

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Not as fast as I was hoping for, but it's a start in the right direction.

http://news.yahoo.com/report-rising-seas-california-rise-6-inches-2030-193049745.html

Report: Rising seas by California to rise 6 inches by 2030, 4 inches for rest of West Coast

By Jeff Barnard, The Associated Press | Associated Press – 59 mins ago

The West Coast will see an ocean several inches higher in coming decades, with most of California expected to get sea levels a half foot higher by 2030, according a report released Friday.

The study by the National Research Council gives planners their best look yet at how melting ice sheets and warming oceans associated with climate change will raise sea levels along the country's Pacific coast. It is generally consistent with earlier global projections, but takes a closer look at California, Oregon and Washington.

Although the six inches expected for California by 2030 seem minor, the report estimated that sea levels there will be three feet higher by 2100.

About 72 per cent of the state's coast is covered by sandy cliffs, and the rest include beaches, sand dunes, bays and estuaries.

"Rising seas increase the risk of coastal flooding, storm surge inundation, coastal erosion and shoreline retreat, and wetland loss," the report said. "The cities and infrastructure that line many coasts are already vulnerable to damage from storms, which is likely to increase as sea level continues to rise and inundate areas further inland."

Northern California, Oregon and Washington can expect a less dramatic increase — about four inches by 2030 and two feet by 2100 — because seismic activity is causing land to rise north of the San Andreas Fault, offsetting increasing sea levels, and drop south of it. The fault runs out to sea at Cape Mendocino.

The most immediate threat over the next few decades will come from periodic ocean-warming El Nino events, said Gary Griggs, director of the Institute for Marine Sciences at the University of California at Santa Cruz, who was one of the scientists assembled by the council to produce the report.

"During those events, sea level is elevated as much as a foot above normal and then we've got typically larger waves coming in with the high tides," particularly in the Northwest, he said.

If a major earthquake occurs beneath the Pacific Ocean off Oregon, in what is known as the Cascadia subduction zone, that could cause the land to drop, allowing sea level to rise another three feet, the report said. Such a major temblor occurred 300 years ago.

The report was commissioned by states and federal agencies looking for detailed information so they can plan for an accelerated rate of erosion along beaches, bluffs and sand dunes that are already crumbling into the sea.

"A lot of the data we had before was worldwide data or has the caveat, 'Can't be used for planning purposes,'" said Susan Hansch, chief deputy director of the California Coastal Commission. "It all comes down to the better data you have, the better decisions you can make."

Sea levels rise for two reasons due to global warming.

Warmer water expands, which can cause as many as 23 inches of sea level rise by 2100, according to the Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Then, warmer temperatures cause ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica to melt slowly, adding another foot or more to sea levels by 2100, scientists said. But those estimates are for the planet as a whole. Some places will see higher seas and others will get less dramatic increases.

Globally, sea levels have risen about eight inches over the last century, but the rate has been increasing significantly, said Griggs.

The report summarized published projections, such as the IPCC report of 2007, and updated it with computer modeling, as well as an analysis of tidal gauge readings and satellite measurements along specific sites on the West Coast.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

News from the 80s!

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

News from the 80s!

With all the bickering and negative threads in this forum, I'm just trying to help lighten the mood by posting more positive articles on here.

Edited June 22, 2012 by Bad_Daddy

[Pooky 3,838]

Is the sea rising, or is California sinking under the ever-growing mountain of debt?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Is the sea rising, or is California sinking under the ever-growing mountain of debt?

California is up to $16 billion dollars in debt atm with no sign of relief. But that's another one of those feel good stories that deserves a thread of it's own.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Okay

SIGNIFIGANT RISE IN SEA LEVEL NOW SEEMS CERTAIN

By ERIK ECKHOLM

Published: February 18, 1986

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MANY scientists are so sure that the sea level will rise visibly in the coming decades that they are advising planners to adopt new strategies now. A predicted rise in sea level of one foot within the next 30 to 40 years will drive much of the Atlantic and Gulf shoreline inward by a hundred feet and some of it by more than a thousand feet, according to marine geologists. The environmental and economic consequences will be felt much farther inland.

The loss of land to the seas ''will create havoc on our shoreline,'' warned Orrin H. Pilkey, a marine geologist at Duke University. ''Americans have been rushing to the coast, but much of our beachfront development has been contemptuous of natural forces.''

Emphasis mine.

http://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/18/science/signifigant-rise-in-sea-level-now-seems-certain.html?scp=1&sq=&st=nyt

[james&olya 1,121]

God is punishing Florida and Texas for having voted republican in the past!

[mawilson 2,133]

God is punishing Florida and Texas for having voted republican in the past!

More likely, punishing them for voting Democrat in the present.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Not as fast as I was hoping for, but it's a start in the right direction.

Alaska is also on the west coast so I guess it is also slowly sinking into the Pacific Ocean.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Alaska is also on the west coast so I guess it is also slowly sinking into the Pacific Ocean.

A lot of it already has. We have lost entire islands and coastal villages this past decade. It's the good with the bad. As long as California goes then Alaska is worth the sacrifice.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

A lot of it already has. We have lost entire islands and coastal villages this past decade. It's the good with the bad. As long as California goes then Alaska is worth the sacrifice.

I live about 1/3 mile from the water and i'm 16.4' up, no worries from me.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I'm going to buy property in Nevada near the CA border. It will be oceanfront property when CA sinks. I'll make a killing.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

More likely, punishing them for voting Democrat in the present.

FL and TX voting Democrat? Here in the sunshine state, it's all GOP - super majorities in both chambers.

[MyLittlePony 340]

When i am 60 i will have beach front i can do nude beach walking.

[unlockingsky 94]