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Effects of Gulf Stream Variations on Sea Levels
along the Eastern Coast

What is the role of oceanic circulation on the rate of sea level rise? How do changes in the Gulf Stream affect sea levels on the US East Coast?

On Tuesday, May 9, 2017, the Florida Atlantic University Center for Environmental Studies hosted a one-day workshop, Effects of Gulf Stream Variations on Sea Levels along the Eastern Coast at the South Florida Water Management District in West Palm Beach, Florida.

See the Summary Document  from this meeting. summary

View the  Conference Video.

The workshop began with Dr. Jayantha Obeysekera’s presentation: Variations in Sea Levels – Implications for water management , followed by a series of 20-minute presentations by researchers as listed below. At the end of day, an informal discussion examined the recent findings.

  • Shimon Wdowinski (Florida International University)
    Decadal-scale variations in the coupling between sea level along the Florida Atlantic coast and the strength of the Florida Current
  • Tal Ezer (Old Dominion University)
    The link between the Gulf Stream and sea level along the U.S. East Coast as seen in observations and models
  • William Sweet (NOAA) 
    Using a time-dependent extreme value model of Virginia Key monthly highest tides, the probability of extreme event flooding such as occurred during Sep 2015 are quantified in terms of seasonal and long-period tidal cycles, a long-term sea level rise related trend and co-variability with Florida Current transport.
  • Ben Kirtman (University of Miami)
    Towards a regional sea level rise prediction system from days to decades
  • Ricardo Domingues (NOAA)
    Recent efforts from NOAA/AOML towards monitoring and improving the understanding of changes in the Florida Current: relationships with sea-level along the east U.S. coast
  • David Enfield (formerly NOAA/AOML)
    Bakker et al. (2017): Recent work on the impact of mitigation on projected decline of the AMOC

The overall objective was to share information on the current state of knowledge on sea levels on the US Eastern Coast and to identify the main factors influencing this--particularly the role of oceanic circulation. The group also discussed the implications for future projections of sea level rise. 

Who attended?

  • Researchers informing public policy and future research
  • Water management decision-makers

Steering Committee:

  • Dr. Len Berry, Florida Atlantic University
  • Dr. Colin Polsky, Florida Atlantic University
  • Mr. Rafe Pomerance, Arctic 21
  • Dr. Jayantha Obeysekera, SFWMD




 Last Modified 4/3/23