East Coast Sea Level Rise Maps
To view/print these PDF maps you need Adobe Reader 8 or newer.
Due to the fast-evolving science on climate change, many maps that currently are used for zoning, planning and insurance assessment do not reflect the latest scientific consensus on the likely extent of sea-level rise-specifically, they do not take into account the newest estimates from recent Greenland ice-melt data suggesting a likely three feet of sea level rise by the end of the century. An additional problem has been the lack of availability from USGS of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data sets for many coastal areas. If the federal and state governments are to be effective in helping communities to adapt for projected climate impacts, better mapping must be provided and in a more timely fashion.
CA-CP has recently completed a pilot project in which it commissioned state-of-the-art coastal vulnerability maps showing how the range of sea level rise predictions up to 2100 would impact coastal communities and infrastructure in eight cities on the Eastern seaboard and several more on the US Gulf coast.
Based on research recently conducted in Greenland and the Antarctic, scientists now think global sea levels could rise up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) -- or more -- this century, with sea level continuing to rise thereafter, should warming trends continue. This revised estimate is due mainly to the observed increased rate of ice sheet discharge into the oceans. It is possible the east coast of the U.S. will experience even more sea level rise (8-16 inches) due to the build up of water from Cape Cod to the Chesapeake caused by the slowing of the Gulf Stream. The map sets below show areas vulnerable to a rise in sea level in the Chesapeake Bay Region and the cities of Hampton, NH; Miami, FL; Norfolk, VA; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, ME; Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL; and Wilmington, NC. To request print-quality pdf files or large poster printouts of any of the maps, please write to info@cleanair-coolplanet.org.
Clean Air-Cool Planet worked with Stratus Consulting Inc. of Boulder, Colorado, an environmental consulting firm whose clients include federal, state, tribal, and international government agencies, as well as utilities, industries, and law firms.
Information Basis for Coastal Inundation Maps
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Chesapeake Bay Region
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Hampton, NEW HAMPSHIRE
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Miami, FLORIDA
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Norfolk, VIRGINIA
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Philadelphia, PENNSYLVANIA
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Portland, MAINE
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Tampa-St. Petersburg, FLORIDA
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Wilmington, NORTH CAROLINA
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