Why is sea level rising?
Read how glaciers, comets and more tell the story of sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay. There are two factors that determine “relative” sea level in the mid-Atlantic region and Chesapeake Bay. First, global sea level is rising and, second, the land around the Chesapeake Bay is slowly “sinking.” Together, these two factors determine the rate at which “relative” sea level changes. Measurements show that over the past few centuries the rate of sea level rise in our area has been about 1 foot (0.3 Meters) per century, or about 3 millimeters a year – the height of this capital “S.” However, direct measurements over the past eighty years around the Bay indicate a recent increase in the rate of sea level rise, ranging from 1 ½ to as much as 3 feet per century. More on sea level – the science, measurements and predictions. How will Wetlands be affected? Wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are at risk due to this increased rate of sea level rise. Research has shown that vegeta
