Continuous water increase

1995/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

The sea level is constantly rising. According to data sent by the satellite Topex-Poseidon, in the last 10 years it has risen 3.7 millimeters and there seems to be nothing against this trend.

The causes of this increase could be many. Apart from the specific phenomena, the main agent is climate change that has been considered as a consequence of the greenhouse effect, but there is still no total security. More data is needed and the Topex-Poseidon satellite has been very useful. Your working day will end shortly.

This satellite was launched in 1992 and its observation work will end in 1999. From that year the solar cells used by the satellite will be completely damaged by radiation. At the moment there is no project to replace this satellite, so it can be predicted that obtaining the necessary data can be lengthened. Time will tell.