This map shows models based on scientific data for how sea levels may rise around the United States in the future in the years 2030, 2050 and 2090. Since 1880, the world’s average sea level has risen about 8 to 9 inches. For most of that time—about 113 years—the sea rose slowly, around 5 inches total, or about 0.04 inches per year. However, in the 10 years before 2023, sea levels rose about 4 inches. The map shows what could happen if this faster rise continues.

Experts used land elevation data and a model called Scenarios of Future Mean Sea Level from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They also used data from NASA and the United States Geological Survey. These tools help show how serious coastal flooding could become. The model does not include changes like land erosion, land sinking (called subsidence), or new buildings that may be added after 2022. Even though models are helpful, they cannot predict every change in the environment.

Climate change causes sea levels to rise in two main ways: melting glaciers and warming ocean water. Climate change means long‑term changes in weather patterns around the world, mostly caused by higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. This climate change has led to higher overall global temperatures, with some of the greatest changes happening closer to the North Pole. Glaciers around the world are melting faster than before and now lose 36% more ice each year than they did 20 years ago. This adds water from the glaciers to the ocean. Warmer water also expands. As ocean water heats up, it takes up more space, which causes sea levels to rise.

Almost 30% of people in the United States live near the coast and could be affected by rising seas. Higher sea levels can make storms stronger, damage homes, ruin septic systems and force people to move. The rising sea levels have the potential to destroy wetlands, harm ecosystems, and overwhelm infrastructure like roads, buildings and power systems. For example, the Chesapeake Bay has risen about three feet since Captain John Smith arrived in the Jamestown, Virginia settlement in the early 17th century. People and businesses near the bay may need to move unless steps are taken to protect the land.

Explorer: Malin Fezehai — Photographer, Filmmaker, and Visual Storyteller

Malin Fezehai is an Eritrean/Swedish New York-based photographer, filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer. She has worked across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and America. For her National Geographic grant project, Fezehai is examining human adaptations to sea level rise and the experiences of people permanently living on water. She uses her camera to tell stories of people who live, work and play on the ocean. Her pictures help people from around the world see how they are connected by the ocean. “I want to focus on the human experience of choosing a life path connected to the ocean,” she says.

People can adapt to rising sea levels in many ways. Some solutions include building seawalls and dikes, raising buildings, improving drainage systems, restoring wetlands and moving important buildings to higher ground. In some parts of the world, people already live on water using floating homes, houses on stilts or houseboats. These communities often build floating schools, markets and gardens, and many depend on fishing for their livelihoods.

Sea level rise is increasing faster than in the past, which puts coastal communities at risk. These changes can lead to flooding, stronger storms, damaged ecosystems, and the loss of homes and infrastructure. People can respond by adapting their communities, building protective structures, restoring natural environments, or finding new ways to live on or near the water.

Thinking Geographically

Use the bookmarks to explore specific coastal areas. What states of the U.S. are most vulnerable to losing land to the sea rise level increases over the coming years?

Add a layer, Land Cover. Continue to explore the New Orleans and Albemarle Sound areas. What kind of land seems more prone to flooding?

Change the basemap to imagery. Describe how the bookmarked areas land looks. How might the people living in these different areas need to adapt if the water rises as the map predicts?