The sea level has been rising from the end of the last ice age, which was around 20,000 years ago.[3] Between 1901 and 2018, the average sea level rose by 15–25 cm (6–10 in), with an increase of 2.3 mm (0.091 in) per year since the 1970s.[4]: 1216  This was faster than the sea level had ever risen over at least the past 3,000 years.[4]: 1216  The rate accelerated to 4.62 mm (0.182 in)/yr for the decade 2013–2022.[5] Climate change due to human activities is the main cause.[6]: 5, 8  Between 1993 and 2018, melting ice sheets and glaciers accounted for 44% of sea level rise, with another 42% resulting from thermal expansion of water.[7]: 1576