New method for reconstructing sea level from tide gauges using satellite altimetry | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

New method for reconstructing sea level from tide gauges using satellite altimetry


Abstract:

Cyclostationary empirical orthogonal functions, derived from satellite altimetry, are combined with historical sea level measurements from tide gauges to estimate nearly-...Show More

Abstract:

Cyclostationary empirical orthogonal functions, derived from satellite altimetry, are combined with historical sea level measurements from tide gauges to estimate nearly-global monthly sea level fields from 1900-2010. The reconstructed global mean sea level is shown to compare favorably with the satellite altimetry over the period from 1993-2010. The trend in global mean sea level for the fully reconstructed data record is 1.4 mm/yr. This reconstruction shows improvement over previously published reconstructions in its robust ability to capture sea level variability associated with the modulated annual cycle and El Nino-Southern Oscillation signals.
Date of Conference: 25-30 July 2010
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 03 December 2010
ISBN Information:

ISSN Information:

Conference Location: Honolulu, HI, USA

1. INTRODUCTION

Satellite altimetry has provided accurate measurements of sea level with near-global coverage over the last two decades. Such measurements have led to the first definitive estimates of global mean sea level (GMSL) rise and have made studies of regional sea level change feasible. The relatively short record provided by satellite altimetry, however, does little to answer the question of how the current state of the ocean compares to previous ocean states. Tide gauges have been the primary source of sea level measurements over the last century. While providing long records, the spatial resolution of tide gauges is poor, making accurate estimates of GMSL and studies of regional changes in sea level difficult. Most tide gauges are located in the northern hemisphere around the heavily populated areas of North America, Europe, and Japan. Just a few provide continuous records back to the 19th century.

References

References is not available for this document.