Rising Seas Could Submerge Much of Jersey Shore by 2100

The doomsday scenario for sea-level rise in New Jersey is worse than that of almost any other state.

1 minute read

April 12, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Jersey Shore

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock

Rising sea levels threaten the entire country, but New Jersey is among the states most vulnerable to its impacts, new research suggests.

Researchers at Climate Central and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently concluded that by the year 2100, climate change could raise sea levels around New Jersey by as much as 12 feet. To put that in perspective, scientists have estimated global sea-level rise in the same timeframe at three or six feet.

New Jersey's worst-case scenario would endanger 710,000 people and $199 billion worth of property, the study warns. Sites at risk include the Keansburg Amusement Park, the Asbury Park Convention Hall, Downtown Brick, and the barrier islands.

Visualizations of the Jersey Shore’s potential future are provided on USA Today's site, App.

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