Students can click and drag on the graph to view a zoomed-in view of a specific period.
The graph that depicts data from 1900 to 2020 indicates sources that have caused an increase in sea level with a plus (+) sign and sources that have caused a decrease in sea level with a minus (-) sign.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should understand how to read a line graph.
Some students might not understand what the ± (plus-minus sign) means (e.g., sea level rise is 98 ± 4 mm). This is the uncertainty margin. That means that there is a high probability that the true number is within that range. For more information about the uncertainty margin, hover over the "i" icon on the left side of the page to the right of the latest measurement.
Differentiation
Geography and social studies classes could discuss how sea level rise results in unequal effects on various populations, particularly those in low-lying coastal areas or islands.
Students could discuss the factors that cause sea levels to increase and decrease and discuss how those factors might inform climate action aimed at keeping sea levels low.
Other resources on this topic include this video on thermal expansion and sea level rise, this interactive map of areas that will be impacted by sea level rise, and this article on the effect of rising seawater on groundwater resources.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.