National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce

Scientists Find 20 Years of Deep Water Warming Leading to Sea Level Rise

September 20, 2010

Released September 20:  Scientists at the University of Washington and PMEL analyzing measurements taken in the deep ocean around the globe published their results in the Journal of Climate.  They find a warming trend that contributes to sea level rise, especially around Antarctica.  Previous studies have shown that the upper ocean is warming, but this study determines how much additional heat the deep ocean is storing from warming observed all the way to the ocean floor.

The high-quality data used in this study were taken during PMEL Repeat Hydrography and other cruises occupied from 1980 through 2010.

Scientist(s):