Research Symposium

BIO

Hello! My name is Anna Chumakov, and I'm a first-year Honors student pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Environmental Science. I'm originally from Massachusetts and some of my involvements on campus include Presidential Scholars, the Florida Association for Environmental Professionals, and ACM.

Investigating the U.S. East Coast sea level change

Abstract

Since 1993, global mean sea level has risen by approximately 100 mm (~3.9 inches), as estimated by NASA. However, this increase is not spatially uniform, as sea level change exhibits significant variability across different regions and timescales, ranging from hours to decades. Understanding the patterns and underlying mechanisms of regional sea level variability is essential for improving future projections and mitigating the associated impacts on coastal communities. This project focuses on quantifying the sea level variability along the US East Coast using observational data.
 
To assess long-term trends in coastal sea level change, linear analysis was performed on the sea level time series from five tide gauge stations spanning Florida to North Carolina. The results show a consistent rise in sea level at all locations. A review of existing literature was also conducted to place these findings in the broader context of sea level change research.
 
Preliminary results confirm a persistent rise in sea level along the U.S. East Coast, indicating potential roles of the Gulf Stream change, melting glaciers, and other climate-related processes in the sea level change. These findings highlight the increasing impact of greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere, which contributes to the acceleration of global and coastal sea level rise. This study underscores the urgent need for strategic measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly for vulnerable coastal regions.

Keywords: sea level, tide gauge, python