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Deciphering Relative Sea-Level Change in Chesapeake Bay: Impact of Global Mean, Regional Variation, and Local Land Subsidence, Part 2: Results

Xin Zhou,Yi Liu

Published 2025 in Water

ABSTRACT

This study reconstructs and projects relative sea-level change (RSLC) along Chesapeake Bay, a global hotspot for sea-level rise, from 1900 to 2100 by statistically extrapolating observed tide gauge trends, rather than employing climate model-based scenarios. The approach integrates global mean sea-level rise (GMSLR), regional sea-level rise (RSLR), and local land subsidence (LS) to evaluate both past and future behavior. Tide gauge data reveal that Chesapeake Bay’s sea level has accelerated at 0.099 ± 0.013 mm/year2 since 1992, with a linear rate of 1.26 mm/year since 1900, slightly outpacing global averages. LS, primarily driven by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) and sediment compaction, has been the dominant contributor to RSLC since the early 20th century, accounting for up to 71% of the RSLC prior to 1992 across 15 tide gauge stations. However, with GMSLR accelerating at 0.120 ± 0.025 mm/year2, the relative contribution of LS to RSLC is projected to decline to 31–43% by 2100. The reconstructed RSLC for the 20th century ranges between 32 and 44 cm, while extrapolated projections for the 21st century indicate a further increase of 53–99 cm. By 2100, GMSLR is expected to contribute to 60–70% of total RSLC. Spatial variability in RSLC across 15 tide gauge stations reflects differing geological conditions and anthropogenic influences such as groundwater withdrawal and construction-induced subsidence. These findings highlight the critical need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels on coastal communities and infrastructure in the Chesapeake Bay region. Continued monitoring, improved modeling, and targeted resilience planning are essential to address the accelerating threats posed by sea-level rise and to ensure the sustainability of vulnerable coastal areas.

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