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The CfA Space Geodesy Homepage Sea Level Hazards: Increased flood and storm damage Increased salinity of estuaries and aquifers This webpage was created by Stacey Archfield |
Increased flood and storm damage
A higher sea level will provide a higher base for storm surges [IPCC, 1998]. A one-meter rise in sea level would enable a 15-year storm to flood areas that today are only flooded by 100-year storms [IPCC, 1998]. Flood damages would increase 36-58% for a 30-cm rise in sea level and increase 102-200% for sea level rise greater than 90 cm [IPCC, 1998]. Larger storms cause loss of beach width and force large sediments into inlets.
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