Experts: Calif. Sea Level Rising Faster than Global Average
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(WASHINGTON) -- Experts say the sea-level off most of California could rise by about a full meter over the next 100 years; an amount said to be slightly higher than what is projected for global sea levels, according to a report by the National Research Council.
The report stated that the projected rise will likely lead to an increase in the amount of damage done to California's coast by storm surges and high waves. The meter increase doesn't apply to waters off the shores of northern California; those waters are expected to rise by about 60cm over the same period.
"As the average sea level rises, the number and duration of extreme storm surges and high waves are expected to escalate, and this increases the risk of flooding, coastal erosion, and wetland loss," Robert Dalrymple, committee chair and Willard and Lillian Hackerman Professor of Civil Engineering at John Hopkins University said in a statement.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio
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