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Sea level as affected by river runoff, eastern United States
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 30, 1971
Summary
River inflow variations explain 7–21% of sea level changes on U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Secular sea level rise accounts for a larger portion, with other factors influencing the remaining variation.
Area of Science:
- Coastal science
- Oceanography
- Hydrology
Background:
- Sea level variations impact coastal regions significantly.
- Understanding drivers of sea level change is crucial for coastal management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the contribution of annual river inflow to sea level variations.
- To compare river inflow's impact with secular sea level rise and other factors.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of historical sea level data.
- Correlation analysis between river inflow and sea level measurements.
Main Results:
- Annual river inflow accounts for 7–21% of sea level variation on Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
- Secular sea level rise explains 29–68% of the variation.
- Unexplained factors contribute 10–50% to sea level variation.
Conclusions:
- River inflow is a notable, but secondary, driver of short-term sea level fluctuations.
- Secular sea level rise is the dominant factor influencing long-term sea level trends.
- Further research is needed to identify other significant drivers of coastal sea level variation.
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