Relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas, is the combination of absolute sea level rise and land subsidence. We estimate subsidence rates of 3.53 mm/a during 1909–1937, 6.08 mm/a during 1937–1983, and 3.51 mm/a since 1983. Subsidence attributed to aquifer-system compaction accompanying groundwater extraction contributed as much as 85% of the 0.7 m relative sea level rise since 1909, and an additional 1.9 m is projected by 2100, with contributions from land subsidence declining from 30 to 10% over the projection interval. We estimate a uniform absolute sea level rise rate of 1.10 mm ± 0.19/a in the Gulf of Mexico during 1909–1992 and its acceleration of 0.270 mm/a2 at Galveston Pier 21 since 1992. This acceleration is 87% of the value for the highest scenario of global mean sea level rise. Results indicate that evaluating this extreme scenario would be valid for resource-management and flood-hazard-mitigation strategies for coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico, especially those affected by subsidence.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2020 |
---|---|
Title | Land subsidence contributions to relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas |
DOI | 10.1038/s41598-020-74696-4 |
Authors | Yi Liu, Jiang Li, John Fasullo, Devin Galloway |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Scientific Reports |
Index ID | 70215538 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | WMA - Earth System Processes Division |