New research has uncovered how much global sea levels shifted after the last ice age. Ice caps in North America, Antarctica, and Europe melted, causing sea levels to rise rapidly as temperatures increased. However, until now, solid data from this period were scarce, leaving scientists uncertain about the extent of this rise.
According to a study published in March 2023 in Nature, sea levels rose by about 125 feet (38 meters) between 11,000 and 3,000 years ago. Understanding this historical data is crucial, especially as current ice sheets respond to climate change.
To gather this information, an international team of scientists focused on “Doggerland,” an ancient land bridge that connected the U.K. to mainland Europe until about 7,000 years ago. They drilled into the North Sea to collect samples of peat, which is partially decayed plant matter. This area was once full of marshlands, but rising sea levels eventually submerged it, allowing sediments to compress the marshes.
The researchers analyzed the different types of microalgae in the peat, which revealed how sea levels fluctuated over time. They found that sea levels rose mostly in two phases. The first, around 10,300 years ago, was mainly due to melting ice. The second phase, starting about 8,300 years ago, included water from melting glaciers and lakes.
At its peak, the rate of sea level rise reached more than 0.4 inches (10 mm) per year, translating to about 40 inches (1 meter) per century. In comparison, today’s sea levels rise between 0.1 and 0.2 inches (3 to 4 mm) annually, but that rate is expected to increase to 0.2 to 0.4 inches (4 to 9 mm) over the next century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Sarah Bradley, a researcher from the University of Sheffield, noted, “The consequences of sea level rise are much more significant today, given our increasing population and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.” This emphasizes the importance of understanding past sea level changes to prepare for future impacts.
Such insights are beneficial for scientists refining models of sea level rise. By studying historical data alongside modern records, researchers can better grasp the dynamics between ice sheets, climate, and sea level. Marc Hijma, a geologist at Deltares, commented, “This knowledge aids both scientists and policymakers in tackling challenges posed by current climate change, especially in adapting to its effects.”
As climate discussions continue to grow, this research serves as a reminder of the lessons we can learn from our planet’s history. Understanding how the Earth responded to earlier warming events can guide us as we face our own climate challenges today.
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