Sea Level Rise Estimate Calculator — Formula
## Estimating Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise comes from two main sources: thermal expansion of warming ocean water and meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets.
### Formula
**Total Rise (mm) = (Thermal Rate + Ice Melt Rate) x Years**
Current observations show about 3.6 mm/year of total rise, with the rate accelerating. Thermal expansion accounts for roughly 40% and ice melt for 60%.
Sea level rise comes from two main sources: thermal expansion of warming ocean water and meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets.
### Formula
**Total Rise (mm) = (Thermal Rate + Ice Melt Rate) x Years**
Current observations show about 3.6 mm/year of total rise, with the rate accelerating. Thermal expansion accounts for roughly 40% and ice melt for 60%.
Esempio Risolto
Thermal expansion adds 1.4 mm/year and ice melt adds 2.2 mm/year. Project 50 years forward.
- Total rate = 1.4 + 2.2 = 3.6 mm/year
- Rise over 50 years = 3.6 x 50 = 180 mm
- In centimeters: 180 / 10 = 18 cm
- In inches: 180 / 25.4 = 7.09 inches