Observations since 1961 show that the average temperature of Earth's oceans has increased to depths of at least 3000 m. The warmed seawater expands causing the sea level to rise. Furthermor, melting of glaciars and ice caps (also a result of global warming) has contributed to sea level rise. Losses from ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica have very likely contributed to the sea level rise over 1993 to 2003.

From 3,000 years ago to the start of the 19th century, the global sea level was almost constant, rising at 0.1 to 0.2 mm/year. Since 1900, however, the sea level has risen at a rate of 1 to 2 mm/year (IPCC TAR)

. According to the most recent IPCC report (Summary for Policy Makers)

, the rate between 1993 and 2003 was about 3.1 mm/year, and the total sea level rise for the 20th century was about 0.17 m (6.7 inches).

http://zfacts.com/p/809.html | 01/18/12 07:18 GMT
Modified: Sat, 05 May 2007 21:37:10 GMT