Introduction: The What, How, and Why of Sea-Level Change

Several processes affect global sea level: rates of seafloor spreading, deep-sea sedimentation, continental glaciation, seawater temperature, and more. Others act locally and can be mistaken for a global signal. Some of these (cooling of rifted crust, isostatic loading, and sediment compaction) mimic rising sea level, while others (local sediment buildup and intra-plate tectonism) mimic falling sea level. This talk introduces the causes, terminology, and methods of study of sea-level change.