The long-term average relative sea level trend at the Battery (NYC) from 1856 to 2024 is 2.94 mm/year. Over the past 50 years, sea level has risen by 19.75cm. How does the recent rate of sea level rise compare to the long-term average?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question provides two key numbers to compare: a long-term average sea level rise at 2.94 mm/year, and a recent rate calculated from 50 years of rise, which is 19.75 cm over 50 years.
First, convert the recent rise to a rate: 19.75 cm equals 197.5 mm. Over 50 years, that yields a rate of 197.5 mm / 50 years = 3.95 mm/year.
Next, compare 3.95 mm/year to the long-term average of 2.94 mm/year. The difference is 3.95 - 2.94 = 1.01 mm/year.
To understand the magnitude of the difference, compute the relative increase: (1.01 / 2.94) ≈ 0.343, or about 34%. This means the recent rate is roughly one-third faster than the long-term average.
Now evaluate each option:
Option A: "The recent rate is about the same (within 10%) as the long-term average." A 34% higher rate is outside the 10% range, so this is incorrect.
Option B: "The recent rate is slower (more than 10% lower) than the long-term average." The recent rate is not slower; it is faster, so this is incorrect.
Option C: "The recent rate is faster (10%-25% higher) than the long-term average." While the rate is indeed faster, the relative increase (~34%) exceeds 25%, so this underestimates the difference and is incorrect.
Option D: "The recent rate is much faster (larger by more than 25%) than the long-term average." This matches the calculation of roughly a 34% increase, which is more than 25%, so this option correctly characterizes the magnitude of the change.
Thus, the statement describing the recent rate as much faster (more than 25% higher) than the long-term average accurately reflects the computed comparison.

Math & Science Prep Program Placement Assessment

The long-term average relative sea level trend at the Battery (NYC) from 1856 to 2024 is 2.94 mm/year. Over the past 50 years, sea level has risen by 19.75cm. How does the recent rate of sea level rise compare to the long-term average?

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