Short Wave Saving Sea Level Records: What Historical Records Tell Us About The Rising Ocean
Feb 11, 2021
Lauren Sommer, an NPR climate correspondent, discusses the crucial role of historical records in understanding sea level rise. She highlights how scientists are leveraging century-old tidal measurements from places like Hillbury Island to make accurate forecasts. The conversation also covers the challenges of digitizing historical data, especially from former colonies. With millions at risk from coastal flooding, Sommer emphasizes the importance of these archival records to create localized climate models and prepare communities for the future.
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Hillbury Island's Tide Logs
- Hillbury Island, a tidal island near Liverpool, once housed a telegraph and lifeboat station.
- Workers meticulously logged tide heights every 15 minutes for decades, creating a valuable historical dataset.
Value of Historical Tide Data
- Old tidal data is crucial for understanding sea level rise, which impacts coastal communities.
- Accurate forecasts require long-running datasets like these to predict future changes.
Complexity of Sea Level Rise
- Sea level rise is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including melting glaciers and thermal expansion.
- Dam building temporarily slowed the rise, but melting ice sheets now accelerate it.