SOS - Sea Surface Height Anomaly
Flat map view of sea surface height (SSHA) data from March 2, 2015, to March 2, 2025. Dark blue represents lower-than-average height, and red represents higher-than-average height.
This visualization shows how the height of the ocean surface has changed from 2015 to 2025, based on data collected from satellite altimeters operated by NASA and its partners. Sea-surface height can be measured using radar: satellites send out radio waves that bounce off the ocean and return to the satellite as echoes. The strength and timing of those return signals indicates sea surface height. Blue regions show where sea level has decreased since 1992, while orange and red regions are where sea level has increased. Sea levels are rising due to the melting of land ice and the expansion of seawater as it warms.
Science On A Sphere Content
A view of sea surface height (SSHA) data from March 2, 2015, to March 2, 2025. Dark blue represents lower-than-average height, and red represents higher-than-average height. This version is presented on an interactive 3D globe.
Still image of sea surface height anomaly on a globe
Still image of sea surface height anomaly on a globe
Color bar legend for sea surface height anomaly, spanning -0.3 to 0.3 meters
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
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Visualizer
- Kel Elkins (USRA)
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Technical support
- Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
- Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
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Scientists
- Josh Willis (JPL)
- Kevin Marlis (NASA/JPL)
Release date
This page was originally published on Friday, May 16, 2025.
This page was last updated on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 9:17 AM EDT.