Statistical Method to More Precisely Calculate the Rate of Sea Level Rise
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Academic
Untraditional approach to calculating the rate of sea level rise is expected to save lives, businesses, and communities.
The research, methodology and current findings was presented by Andrew Parnell of University College Dublin at the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) in Baltimore.
The new approach contrasts with previous ways scientists analyzed and came to conclusions about sea level rise because it is "the only proper one that aims to fully account for uncertainty using statistical methods," noted Parnell, principal investigator of the study conducted collaboratively with researchers at Tufts University, Rutgers University and Nanyang Technological University.
Parnell's team has been able to show that sea level rise on the East Coast has been much less than 1 millimeter (mm) per year for the entire period 0 AD to 1800 AD, and, since then, it's skyrocketed. In fact, they've discovered the rate of sea level rise on the East Coast is the highest it's been for at least 2,000 years, and the rate of global sea level rise is above 1.7 mm per year, estimated by the International Panel on Climate Change. "Some people argue that sea levels are not rising. We are showing them that sea levels are not only rising, but accelerating," continued Parnell.
From their analysis, researchers made additional observations, including the following:
- An increase in the rate of sea level change around the time period known as the "Medieval Climate Anomaly"
- A small decrease around the time of the "Little Ice Age"
- A rapid increase after the start of the Industrial Revolution
About JSM 2017
JSM 2017 is the largest gathering of statisticians and data scientists in the world, taking place July 29-August 3, 2017, in Baltimore. Occurring annually since 1974, JSM is a joint effort of the American Statistical Association, International Biometric Society (ENAR and WNAR), Institute of Mathematical Statistics, Statistical Society of Canada, International Chinese Statistical Association, International Indian Statistical Association, Korean International Statistical Society, International Society for Bayesian Analysis, Royal Statistical Society and International Statistical Institute. JSM activities include oral presentations, panel sessions, poster presentations, professional development courses, an exhibit hall, a career service, society and section business meetings, committee meetings, social activities and networking opportunities.
About the American Statistical Association
The ASA is the world's largest community of statisticians and the oldest continuously operating professional science society in the United States. Its members serve in industry, government and academia in more than 90 countries, advancing research and promoting sound statistical practice to inform public policy and improve human welfare. For additional information, please visit the ASA website at http://www.amstat.org.
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- Hydrological Modelling
- Climate Change
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