Space lasers reveal oceans rising faster than ever
Science Daily
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking 30-year study reveals that melting land ice is the primary cause of accelerating global sea-level rise. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University found that oceans have risen by approximately 90 millimeters since 1993, with over half of this increase due to added water mass from melted land ice, particularly from Greenland and mountain glaciers. This shift marks a significant change from previous decades when thermal expansion dominated sea-level rise.
The study utilized satellite laser ranging (SLR) data to measure gravitational changes caused by ocean mass shifts, providing the most precise long-term record of global ocean mass variations. By addressing technical challenges in SLR data analysis, the team successfully demonstrated that melting land ice has overtaken thermal expansion as the main driver of sea-level rise since around 2005.
This research is critical for validating climate models and improving projections of future sea-level rise. It underscores the urgent need to address accelerating ice melt driven by global warming, which poses significant threats to coastal communities through increased flooding and erosion. The findings highlight the importance of understanding ocean mass changes in assessing the long-term impacts of climate change on sea levels.
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/24/2026