Taking a Measure of Sea Level Rise: Ocean Altimetry

The ocean is lumpy and sloshes around its basins for natural reasons. But it is also rising, slowly and steadily.

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NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Jason-3 data courtesy of Ben Hamlington, NASA/JPL-Caltech, and tide gauge data from Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL). Video by NASA/JPL-Caltech. Story by Michael Carlowicz, with science interpretation by Ben Hamlington/NASA JPL, Richard Ray/NASA Goddard, and Josh Willis, NASA JPL.

Published November 5, 2020
Data acquired January 1, 1993

Sources:

In situ Measurement

JASON-1

JASON-2

JASON-3

TOPEX/Poseidon

Collection:

Sea Level Rise