SEA LEVEL RISE - its causes , consequences

 SEA LEVEL RISE - its causes , consequences.

What is sea level rise? 

Sea level rise is essentially the increase in the average height of the ocean's surface measured from the centre of the Earth.

Causes : 

There are primarily two causes of sea level rising - 

Firstly, global warming - driven melting of glaciers and ice sheets . According to a study , since 2000, glaciers have lost between 2% and 39% of their ice regionally, and about 5% globally. 

Secondly, thermal expansion of seawater, a process by which water expands as it warms up. According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA) , it is responsible for one- third to half of global sea level rise. 

Consequences : 

An increase in sea level can severely impact both human and natural systems.

(a) It leads to more frequent and intense coastal flooding.

(b) It also results in more intense storm surges, allowing more water inland during tropical storms. It can impact coastal ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs and salt marshes, contaminate fresh water supplies , and thus affect people's daily lives.