Study: Sea Levels Rising Faster Along East Coast

A new report says sea levels are rising faster in Boston and down the Northeast coast than in other parts of the world.

WBUR's Bianca Vazquez Toness reports on the study from the U.S. Geological Survey:

Sea levels are increasing three to four times faster along parts of the Atlantic coast than globally. The so-called "hot spot" stretches from north of Boston down to Cape Hatteras, N.C.

U.S. Geological Survey oceanographer Abby Sallenger says residents will see the effects of sea level rise during storms.

"The storm waves, the storm run-up and surge will reach higher on the coast and potentially cause greater impacts, like erosion," he said.

Sallenger says his research team is still determining why the seas are rising faster here.

The report has been published in the journal Nature Climate Change.