Factors that affect sea level change

What is isostatic change?

Change in the land

What is eustatic change?

When the sea levels change

What is happening in Land’s End Cornwall?

It is isostatically sinking whilst sea levels are also rising

What is Accretion (isostatic)?

The built up of sediment which can lead to a fall in sea levels. However, it gets heavy which can result in rising sea levels

What is subsidence? (isostatic)

The deposition of sediment

It can lead to coastal sag

How do Tectonic impact sea levels? (isostatic)

The land rises and falls which can effect the amount capacity of the ocean

How does post-glacial adjustment effect sea level change? (isostatic)

Northern Britain faces isostatic rising as land is uplifted however, southern Britain is experiencing isostatic sinking as the land is being lowered (see-saw effect)

How can climate change impact the coast? (eustatic)

• During glacial periods there is a global fall in sea level

• In interglacial periods the ice sheets melt which will increase the volume of water in oceans and result in rising sea levels- especially due to thermal expansion

Why do sea levels constantly change?

• Tides

• Variation in surface air pressure

• Winds pushing the surface

Statistics to do with sea level change?

• Tectonic activity caused 10% sea level rise

• 2004 boxing day tsunami lifted sections of the Indian Ocean resulting in global sea level rise

• Melting of polar ice sheets can increase sea levels