Oceans of Climate Change

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 at Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the Jason-3 spacecraft. Liftoff was at 10:42 a.m. PST (1:42 p.m. EST).

This visualization shows total sea level change between 1992 and 2019, based on data collected from the TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Jason-3 satellites. Blue regions are where sea level ha...

The ocean-observing Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Nov. 21, 2020 at 12:17 p.m. EST

QuickTime VR of TOPEX/Poseidon

One of the best ways to understand Earth's ocean is from the perspective of space.

Ice covers 10 percent of Earth's surface and helps moderate the planet's temperature.

It’s not only water processes that play a role in global sea level rise – ground movements can play a significant role as well.

For NASA scientist Severine Fournier, studying our planet knows no borders.

To provide scientists with essential information about global and regional changes in the seas, NASA will launch the Jason-3 satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

SSH and SST - Pacific Ocean

Recorded live launch broadcast of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich

It's hard to "see" sea level rise by just looking at the ocean, but its effects are very real.

For NASA engineer Shannon Statham, building spacecraft is all about being creative.

SSH and SST - Indian Ocean

Sea Surface Height - Global Average from 1993 - 2011.

This animation illustrates the evolution of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies (relative to the respective normal state) in the Pacific Ocean associated with the 2015-2016 El Niño.

For over 20 years NASA has been tracking the global surface topography of the ocean in order to understand the important role it plays in our daily lives. Climate change is causing our Ocean to war...

A look at how NASA is dealing with the threat of sea level rise to its coastal infrastructure.

Greenland and Antarctica are home to most of the world's glacial ice – including its only two ice sheets – making them areas of particular interest to scientists.

El Niño/La Niña - (12/1996 - 01/2000)

Growing up in landlocked Zimbabwe, NASA JPL engineer Shailen Desai was far from the ocean but still experienced its effects on the climate. Now, he is contributing to an international effort to tra...

Fathoming the forces that determine global sea levels can be daunting. We present a guide to the basics of ocean surface topography.

Watching Our Oceans

NASA Climate Watcher Waves Goodbye

This video discusses the water cycle, which is the movement of water around the Earth, and its importance to life. Changes to the water cycle affect climate and vice versa.