Source: Visual Capitalist
By Priya Silwal
A slow-moving crisis is creeping along the United States’ coastline, driven by sinking land (as explored in last week’s MOTW) and rising sea levels. While these changes may not always dominate headlines, their impact on communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure is becoming increasingly severe with each passing year.
Sea level rise is one of the most visible and far-reaching effects of climate change. It refers to the steady increase in the average height of the ocean’s surface, measured from the center of the Earth. This phenomenon is primarily caused by two major processes: the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms, and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Greenland and Antarctica. As global temperatures climb, ice is melting at an accelerated pace, adding vast amounts of water to the oceans. As warmer oceans expand, they take up more space. Together, these forces are reshaping coastlines, threatening low-lying communities, degrading ecosystems, and placing billions of dollars of infrastructure at risk.
Sea level rise is not uniform across the United States. Over the last century, sea levels have risen by a foot or more in several U.S. cities, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Cities like New York and Boston have seen increases of around 11 inches (279 mm), while Charleston, S.C. has experienced a 12-inch (305 mm) rise. In Atlantic City, the sea level has risen by 16 inches (406 mm); Norfolk, Virginia has seen an 18-inch (457 mm) increase; and Galveston, Texas tops the list with a 25-inch (635 mm) sea level rise.
A new visualization by Visual Capitalist, using data from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, shows a striking range of changes along different coastlines. The study analyzed 36 coastal locations with long-standing tide monitoring stations (excluding Naples, Florida, due to incomplete data for 2024). The Gulf Coast is seeing the fastest rates of sea level rise. For example, in Grand Isle, Louisiana, sea levels rose by 0.3 inches (8.2 mm) in 2024. This low-lying region, already prone to flooding, faces growing risk and rising costs. Texas is also heavily impacted, with cities like Rockport ranking among the top ten fastest-rising locations. Flash floods and frequent high-tide events are becoming increasingly common.
In contrast, parts of Alaska are seeing a decline in sea level. In Juneau, sea levels dropped by 0.5 inches (13.7 mm) in 2024, and Yakutat Bay saw a decline of 0.5 inches (12.1 mm). This counterintuitive trend is caused by a process called glacial isostatic adjustment – as glaciers melt and lose mass, the land beneath them slowly rises due to reduced pressure. In these areas, land uplift is happening faster than ocean rise, resulting in a net fall in relative sea level.
These shifts aren’t just about numbers—they have real consequences. Rising sea levels are already forcing some communities to adapt or retreat, straining public infrastructure, and increasing financial burdens through soaring insurance costs. Meanwhile, Alaska’s changing landscape is making the state more significant on the global stage. With vast reserves of oil, gas, and critical minerals, Alaska is becoming a key player in international trade and geopolitics as the Arctic transforms.
By 2050, sea levels along U.S. coastlines are expected to rise between 8 and 23 inches, with the northern Gulf Coast and mid-Atlantic regions projected to experience the greatest increases. Even small increases in sea level can cause seawater to reach farther inland, intensifying flood risks and threatening homes, infrastructure, and local economies. In response, many urban areas will need to adopt significant adaptation measures to minimize disruption. Cities like San Francisco are already leading the way, constructing flood barriers and investing in long-term coastal resilience. Addressing sea level rise will require forward-thinking policies, resilient infrastructure, and a commitment to protecting the people and environments most exposed to coastal change.
Sources:
Burman, T. (2025). Map shows U.S. cities most at risk from sea level rise. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-us-cities-sea-level-rise-2070229
Neufeld, D. and Lam, S. (2025). The Fastest Rising and Falling Sea Levels in America. Visual Capitalist. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/fastest-rising-and-falling-sea-levels-in-america/#google_vignette
Virginia Institute of Marine Science. (2024). Sea level report cards. Virginia Institute of Marine Science. https://www.vims.edu/research/products/slrc/compare/
Weise, E. (2025). US coasts face a crisis as land sinks and seas rise. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/25/sea-level-rise-at-us-coasts/83817776007/