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Teacher’s perspective:

Note the NGSS Connections information above. You'll see Sea Level Rise connections to Next Generation Science Standards throughout this site.

Sea Level Rise and Assateague Island, MD

Assateague Island is a 37 mile long barrier island located south of Ocean City MD. It consists of Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

Assateague Island, well known for its beaches and well known for its wild ponies is surrounded by water on all sides and is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.



Sea Level Rise Projections

Step 2. Use the graph below to predict how many feet global sea level will rise by 2100. Record this information in the Online Sea Level Investigation Guide you downloaded in Step 1. This will help you predict the impacts of sea level rise on Assateague Island and surrounding areas on the next page.

A few things about the graph:

  • You'll have to decide which projections you think are relevant.
  • Note that yellow and blue lines do not take into account water from ice melting (a major contributor to sea level rise).
  • The graph is based on sea level rise projections made in 2012.
Actual and Projected Sea Level Rise 1900-2100

  Source: Global Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States National Climate Assessment, NOAA (2012). Note: measurements in feet were added for clarity).