Rising Sea Levels On The West Coast

A new report is giving planners their best look yet at how melting ice sheets and warming oceans associated with climate change will raise sea levels on the West Coast.

The report issued Friday by the National Research Council is generally consistent with earlier global projections, but looks closely at California, Oregon and Washington.

It says most of California can expect sea levels to rise about 6 inches by 2030, ramping up to 3 feet by 2100.

Northern California, Oregon and Washington can expect less, about 4 inches by 2030 and 2 feet by 2100. The difference is that seismic activity is causing land north of the San Andreas Fault to rise, offsetting increases in sea level.

The report was commissioned by states and federal agencies.