Global trends

Global mean sea level (GMSL) is the average ocean surface level. It shows a long-term trend of rising sea level. The trend in mean sea level (MSL) is the rate at which the sea level changes. Based on satellite records from 1993 to 2019, the current global trend in MSL is 3.5 mm/year. There are signs of an acceleration in the trend in MSL, with the global sea level trend between 2006 and 2018 rising to 3.7 mm/year.

Queensland trends

Many tide stations operate along the Queensland coast. Different regions can exhibit seasonal, decadal and multi-decadal sea-level changes due to weather and climate patterns, including the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle and tectonic movement.

The Queensland regional average trend in MSL from 1986 to 2022 for 22 Queensland coastal tide gauges is 3.0 (± 0.3) mm/year. The trend varies along the coast, from 1.5 mm/year at Cardwell to 4.2 mm/year at Bundaberg. It is important to note that the sea level trend is not directly related to future sea levels, nor should it be used solely to forecast future sea levels.