In 2025, the global mean sea level rose by only 0.03 inches (0.08 centimeters), a significant decrease from the previous year’s increase of 0.23 inches (0.59 centimeters). This slower rise was primarily due to the presence of La Niña conditions throughout most of the year. Typically, La Niña events result in increased rainfall over the Amazon basin, which helps offset the effects of rising sea levels caused by the warming of the Earth’s oceans.
Over the long term, the average annual sea level rise has been around 0.17 inches (0.44 centimeters) since the early 1990s. However, variations in this trend have been observed, with years of reduced sea level rise often coinciding with La Niña events. These events are part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle and are characterized by the cooling of the eastern Pacific Ocean and increased rainfall in parts of South America. This data underscores the complex relationship between global climate patterns and sea level rise, highlighting the need for further research and monitoring to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Original Source: NASA