Study Says California Sea Levels Could Run 2 Meters Higher as El Niño Threatens Records
Updated
Updated · The San Diego Union-Tribune · Aug 21
Study Says California Sea Levels Could Run 2 Meters Higher as El Niño Threatens Records
3 articles · Updated · The San Diego Union-Tribune · Aug 21
Summary
A Nature study by Wageningen University found sea levels have been underestimated for decades, with California levels potentially 0.25 to 2 meters higher than earlier calculations.
Researchers said many past models relied on gravitational assumptions instead of measured local sea levels, missing the effects of tides, currents and winds and leaving millions more people at risk.
This year’s El Niño could push the California coast to its highest sea levels on record, increasing the odds of damaging flooding, stronger wave impacts and cliff undercutting as coastal buffers shrink.
San Diego already faces visible strain — high tides can flood parts of Midway Drive, the convention center depends on pumps, and officials are clearing flood-control channels while advancing resilience projects.
Longer term, beach replenishment, marsh restoration and cliffside retreat projects may not be enough, sharpening debate over costly 'managed retreat' from vulnerable coastline.