Understanding of Contemporary Regional Sea-Level Change and the Implications for the Future

Benjamin D. Hamlington, Alex S. Gardner, Erik Ivins, Jan T. Lenaerts, J. T. Reager, David S. Trossman, Edward D. Zaron, Surendra Adhikari, Anthony Arendt, Andy Aschwanden, Brian D. Beckley, David P. Bekaert, Geoffrey Blewitt, Lambert Caron, Don P. Chambers, Hrishikesh A. Chandanpurkar, Knut Christianson, Beata Csatho, Richard I. Cullather, Robert M. DeContoJohn T. Fasullo, Thomas Frederikse, Jeffrey T. Freymueller, Daniel M. Gilford, Manuela Girotto, William C. Hammond, Regine Hock, Nicholas Holschuh, Robert E. Kopp, Felix Landerer, Eric Larour, Dimitris Menemenlis, Mark Merrifield, Jerry X. Mitrovica, R. Steven Nerem, Isabel J. Nias, Veronica Nieves, Sophie Nowicki, Kishore Pangaluru, Christopher G. Piecuch, Richard D. Ray, David R. Rounce, Nicole-Jeanne Schlegel, Hélène Seroussi, Manoochehr Shirzaei, William V. Sweet, Isabella Velicogna, Nadya Vinogradova, Thomas Wahl, David N. Wiese, Michael J. Willis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Global sea level provides an important indicator of the state of the warming climate, but changes in regional sea level are most relevant for coastal communities around the world. With improvements to the sea-level observing system, the knowledge of regional sea-level change has advanced dramatically in recent years. Satellite measurements coupled with in situ observations have allowed for comprehensive study and improved understanding of the diverse set of drivers that lead to variations in sea level in space and time. Despite the advances, gaps in the understanding of contemporary sea-level change remain and inhibit the ability to predict how the relevant processes may lead to future change. These gaps arise in part due to the complexity of the linkages between the drivers of sea-level change. Here we review the individual processes which lead to sea-level change and then describe how they combine and vary regionally. The intent of the paper is to provide an overview of the current state of understanding of the processes that cause regional sea-level change and to identify and discuss limitations and uncertainty in our understanding of these processes. Areas where the lack of understanding or gaps in knowledge inhibit the ability to provide the needed information for comprehensive planning efforts are of particular focus. Finally, a goal of this paper is to highlight the role of the expanded sea-level observation network—particularly as related to satellite observations—in the improved scientific understanding of the contributors to regional sea-level change.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalReviews of Geophysics
Volume58
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020

Keywords

  • sea level
  • satellite observations
  • remote sensing

Disciplines

  • Life Sciences

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