Strange sea level rise along East Coast this summer

Of course, further analysis is needed. These scientists want to keep their jobs. This and NASA and "studying" earthquakes are not a total waste of money, but they should not be priorities. Let Al Gore solve Mother Nature. Throw money at real problems like curing cancer, curing diabetes, Alzeimhers, Lou Gerrig's, etc. Feed the hungry in This world.

What a waste of talent and money.

What is Obama doing about this? This is disgraceful he hasn't taken care of this.

Robert II is right on the money, no pun intended, on this one. "Unusual phenomena" is a misnomer when it comes to weather, and most other things as well, as averages and statistics are the worst liars there are since there is always someone or somthing outside the "norm" that numbers would like us to believe are "the natural order of things".

If the tides and sea levels are "unusually high" here there's someplace where they're "unusually low". Same goes for temperatures, rainfall, and everything else weather related. It isn't global warming, global cooling, or climate change - it's simply what happens in any dynamic system.

All you silly liberals are probably going to start crying about how this has to do with the whole global warming myth. Guess what? Our environment changes! 10,000 years ago Massachusetts was underneath glacial ice and know what happened to that glacier? It disappeared. This is all part of the natural cycle of the Earth. Instead of whining and spending taxpayer dollars on figuring out ways to stop the change from happening, let's do what humans have done throughout the millenia - ADAPT! It's that simple. Or are you liberals just too dense to realize that?

Want to know one of the reasons I refuse to "VoteGOP"? Ignorance. Anyone who actually understands science knows that no one has or can prove that global warming is a "myth" anymore than they can predict exactly how much sea level will rise in the coming decades. As for "ADAPT" - you mean like spending billions of dollars to restore a southern city that is already below sea level? Yeah, that by a GOP-lead Federal Government. (No, I'm not a Democrat, either.)

VoteGOP, you have to be the single biggest moron on the face of the planet. Seriously all we need to do is ADAPT! oh really, then you are willing to lose all the lives and property as well? Oh and how shall we ADAPT! ? Do you know what is going to happen so we can ADAPT! to it?

You are a fool, plain and simple.

Who would have thought a factual article like this would be flame bait? I detected no political agenda here.

Surly143 that is funny! Obama is a great guy but he is not a god. Relax!

"Phenomena" is for multiple events, occurrences, etc. Since this event is singular -- a rise in measured high tide levels -- the correct word is "phenomenon."

Robert II:

The total budget for NOAA in 2010 is just over $4 billion. Compare this to the $11 billion in damage that hurricanes alone do in the United States every year. Also, don't forget about the hundreds of billions of dollars contributed to our GDP by the shipping and fishing industries and others, all of which depend on oceanographic science. And you want to say we spend too much money studying the ocean, the atmosphere, and the weather?

Not everything is a global crisis, and no one ever claimed that this change in the sea level is due to global warming, but to say this kind of research isn't a valuable use of our tax dollars is a little closed-minded, I think.

Al Gore? Are you serious? Al Gore? That ridiculous movie was fiction, not a documentary. Stop putting political pressure on scientists (from the left and the right) and let the truth be known. Weather and tides are a dynamic thing, as is climate. Next year the tides will be two feet lower. The press will be silent. Why??? You know the answer.

Ready:

1,2,3, open your freezers now! Stop global warming, throw ice cubes in the ocean hurry up change over to those mercury bulbs that kill fish and then us when we eat the fish.

I'm close to Vermont, will I have Ocean view pretty soon? Maybe I'll keep my freezer closed. If Cap and trade passes the Senate it will only cost three times more to run the house than it does now. whoo hooo. Nice job Congress, maybe we should cap and trade Congress

Robert II and Chuck from Reading:

Or perhaps the scientists in question genuinely want to answer the question of why the tides were higher than expected this summer. Simply identifying the cause is a good first step, but that only allows the phenomenon to be explained after the fact. Wouldn't it be more useful to know not only what causes such a thing, but also how and why those conditions come about? It isn't up there with curing cancer, AIDS or solving the dual problems of world hunger and poverty in terms of immediacy of human impact, but it may eventually give a greater understanding of ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns, which, to put it in your terms, is all about money. Think shipping, forecasting and fisheries. Still not convinced? The money used to study this (both past and possibly future) pales in comparison to that spent on biomedical and agricultural research every year-- in other words, funding agencies know that this isn't a priority. Relax, take a deep breath, and find your curiosity. This kind of research has its applications, but the true value is in expanding the limits of human knowledge.

Unbelievable. VoteGOP calls liberals dense because they fail to see that the changes we are seeing are part of a natural and simple process. Perhaps Chuck's comments are even more remarkable, proclaiming that this is all part of a dynamic system, and then agreeing that studying the forces affecting that system is a waste of money.

I think given a situation where sea levels have risen by a foot or more along our coastlines, researching why it is happening is a pretty good idea. I can't understand why GOP supporters seems so against research and knowledge, but it hasn't always been that way and is a big reason why the party has become marginalized.

It's back to normal now. While on Martha's Vineyard O went to the ocean, raised his arms above his shoulders and whispered "calm, right now".
Done, just go look.

We certainly did not notice this higher than normal tide while sitting on the beach in June because June was so honking rainy no one was at the beach.

I did notice a really high tide one day in late July, I believe, at Nantasket beach. Lifeguards noted that June/July always have the highest tides.

Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that.

This is caused by children tossing rocks into the sea and causing the water levels to increase.

How about the fact that it rained everyday in June, with the exception of 2 days and we had unusually heavy snowfall this past winter. The water has to go somewhere! How can I get a job NOAA?

Dear VoteGOP:
I understand where you are coming from as you don't give a damn about the future because you and your friends, family and GOP won't be around in the future.

VoteGOP- Quit looking in your rearview mirror. Try to be somewhat forward thinking; that's how we get things done.

You keep telling yourselves that if it helps you sleep at night. Or when you kiss your kiddies foreheads and tuck in the next generation safe and warm each night. Don't turn your nose so up at science.. it's the reason why you live the way you do... and as long as you have!

You can't take it with you - so leave it nice for those who follow.

Not a single comment from a "silly liberal", as VoteGOP calls them... but that doesn't stop VoteGOP from frothing at the mouth and railing against them.

You gotta love those Flat-Earth folks.

Republicans hate science -- and any intellectual endeavor for that matter.

Who knew there were so many qualified climatologists sitting around to correct the silly notions of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration? Who needs rigorous science when you have hyperbole??

Why does everything have to be political - UGH.

Liberals? What is Obama doing about this? (REALLY?)

Our environment is continually changing, and obviously things were much different 10,000 years ago. There will always be “Unusual” assurances in weather and environmental conditions. With that being said, we have accelerated these natural changes and are exhausting our natural resources.

Yes, we do need research and we do need to change how we think and live our lives. Adaption? Its a gradual progression, but our current infrastructure isn’t designed for the necessary adjustments, nor are people willing to adapt. Species adapt to environmental changes to survive.

I think the question is - Will we be able to change and adapt our habits to save our environment and survive?

We need to drop the name calling, mudslinging, finger pointing and get to the root of the problem. We need to work together to develop viable solutions to the issues plaguing our country.

Why is this political? It's just reporting a scientific finding. I'm surprised that I'm saddened by the hostility and name-calling in these comments. It's unnecessary in a civilized society. Every research report I've ever read closes with "more research is needed." This is because we are a curious species with a desire for knowledge. Have some faith, will you? Aren't you trying to keep your job, too? This is not an "us vs. them" kind of article. I don't think trying to understand the ocean's currents, the tides, etc., is any more or less important than "curing cancer" when you consider that the health of our oceans are, literally, THE indicators of the health of this planet, and that feeding the world in fact depends on the oceans. The "cure for diabetes" is prevention through a healthy diet and active lifestyle. As for NASA, well, we've been to the moon, but we haven't been to the deepest parts of our oceans, so funding each of these endeavors is, in my opinion, equally important.

VoteGOP, I saw NOTHING in the article that indicated this was caused by global warming or the fault of liberals - reading comprehension is a bit of an issue with you. And to all of you, posters 1-4 - yes, we need to research this, because it's important to understand why this is happening so we can hopefully anticipate it and events like it better in the future. As a former commercial fisherman, 6-12" of extra water may not sound like a lot, but it can be huge problem to those of us on the coast - causing lost gear, lost real estate, and lost revenue.

Wake up and smell the reality, please - the weather is completely and totally without political affiliation, believe me.

Humans have adapted to their changing environment by learning how to shape their environment to their liking. We build houses, we burn fuel for heat, we burn fuel for cooling, we knock down mountains, fill in valleys and wetlands.

What makes you think that stopping the change from happening isn't adapting the way that have always adapted? By changing our environment to our liking.

When I think that folks like you vote, I become sad; when I think that you might have children who look to you for wisdom, I cry.

Yes, how dare scientists "waste time" increasing the body of knowledge humanity has. I cannot even tell you how hard I'm rolling my eyes.

Seriously people. If it weren't for those curious enough to investigate things that interested them, we'd still be in the dark ages.

Robert II, you are ignorant. I'm not a global warming kook, but I know that basic scientific research, whether it's environmental studies or NASA research, has inherent value. The more we understand the earth and how it works, the better we can solve all kinds of different problems.

We should have the Almighty Obama push back the tides.....

A rise of a few feet of the high tide level combined with a strong, but not historic, storm would result in large tracts of Boston being flooded.

I must presume from the previous comments that those commenters would rather pay to clean that up, each time it happens, rather than pay to study the phenomenon, and devise a solution and defense. That is fine with me, I suppose, but very recent history shows us that when a major American city is inundated, we pay tens of billions of dollars to clean up the mess and defend it against a similar event in the future. I would be willing to bet that the study and defense costs a lot less than the cleanup and too-late defense.
jimmind

I'd be interested in knowing who contributes to help pay the costs of the research, and who may benefit. I wonder if insurance companies care about this research, and maybe even help fund it because it may help them understand policy opportunities and risks. Maybe the Coast Guard is interested in this research because it may help them understand issues around rescues under different conditions.

I love the picture of the Chatham houses being swept out to sea earlier this summer. If memory serves, earlier this summer was June. Nothing but cold and rain. Sort of the opposite of Gullible Warming.

The first four responders make me weep for my country. Intellect isn't (or
shouldn't) be a political thing, it shouldn't be a mark of honor within the
Republican ranks to be stupid. Now, their "race to the bottom" gains speed
every day.

You guys had your eight years of anti-science, anti-intellectual "leadership",
don't you think it's time to give it a rest? Oh, I said a bad word: think...

Opposed to what you may hear on CNN or MSNBC, anthropologic climate change simply has not been proven. The scientific method states in order to prove a phenomenon one must attempt to disprove a theory to the point where it cannot be disproven. Hence, the earth is relatively spherical because there is no possible way to disprove it. The problem with the green movement right now is that for some reason (potentially funding) these scientists are going at it all wrong, they are consistently trying to prove that humans are causing global warming, which is merely one theory on why the climate may change. Until they can disprove orbital cycles, solar output, water vapor, natural variability, or any other theory then they have nothing to say. We shouldn't try to fix a problem that we are uncertain how it is caused. Not a part of the GOP, I am a conservative thinker, and I understand true science (unlike most of the people posting in this blog). If your viewpoint differs please explain, I would like to know your definition of science, because what we are witnessing right now is not true science it is scripted political propaganda to control the lives of unknowing people through fear that what they do or fail to do may have an effect on climate. That is wrong.
Also, the ironic thing is that those of you who refer to us with actual scientific knowledge as 'flat-earths’ make yourselves look even more ignorant. No offense, I am sure all of you are good people, unfortunately with the wrong/fabricated viewpoint on science. It is understandable how simple minded people believe everything they hear in the uninformed media. Please do more research on how science works, then attempt to prove your opinion, you may find it difficult.

"We shouldn't try to fix a problem that we are uncertain how it is caused."

Really. Tell that to Dana Farber cancer researchers, or millions of parents who fight to uncover the reason behind their child's syndrome or disorder while trying anything possible to improve their loved one's condition.

Failure to prove a theory doesn't mean that the theory has been disproved either. I fail to see anything wrong with attempting to leave a cleaner, healthier earth for our children whether or not we know humans have actually caused the problem. And I'll tattoo "AL IS STUPID" across my forehead if anyone EVER disproves the link between humans and this particular global warming.

A "spring tide" is NOT when the moon is closest to the earth; it is a particularly high tide caused by the position of the moon in relation to the earth and the sun. It happens during the New Moon and to a lesser extent, during the Full Moon. During the New Moon the moon and the sun are lined up with one another and the gravitational pulls of both are aligned, increasing the total effect on the tides. Paradoxically, when the moon is full, the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the earth the tides are also higher than average. This happens because the oceans to bulge slightly in both directions.

When the moon is half full, the moon and the sun are not aligned so the effect on the ocean tides is slightly less. The lowest tide is called a "Neap Tide."

Here's a good illustration: http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/Astronomy/TheUniverse/Timekeepingandthecelestial/LunarTides/spring-neap.jpg

Apples to apples. I have the upmost respect for all of the institutions, doctors, scientists, clinical trial administrators, drug/medical equipment manufacturers, etc. who work and fight so hard to cure all forms of cancer, believe me, it hits pretty close to home, and I am extremely sensitive to the subject. I don’t appreciate the fact that you are utilizing another scare tactic to try to get your point across in the form of exploiting a terrible form of a disease to an unproven theory (seems as if the entirety of the left must take scare tactic seminars). I can agree that all efforts to rid the world of this type disease is a necessity for mankind, also proper scientific research has taken place in that field. Theories have been proven that directly link smoking, drinking, sun exposure, etc. to different forms of cancer and the research goes on to determine what the other causes may possibly be. This type of scientific research is pure, unbiased and without prejudice as compared to a global warming hoax that is full of propaganda and is all about money and power over unknowing people. You are proving my point, as there are many causes of cancer there may be several other causes to climate change, it may not directly be humans to blame, it may be something out of our control (solar activity, orbital patterns, water vapor, why are the ice caps on other planets in our solar system retreating?, why is Antarctica's ice shelf currently growing?), as it variably happened in the past. I was merely trying to say that it we shouldn’t waste tax dollars/money/resources or affect our economy negatively until we are certain that we can control the outcome of our actions and that we have proven that humans are the cause. I believe in conservation, recycling, utilizing natural resources in reason, but not because of global warming, because of energy independence. Until it is proven, we will be chasing our collective tails. We must start to effectively initiate some actual root cause analysis before we attempt to fix the problem, before we make our current living conditions worse. Overall, I am disappointed in your comparison bluidshay, poor form. I hope you find a good tattoo artist.