Global Sea Level Observing System
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| Global Sea Level Observing System | |
|---|---|
| Name | Global Sea Level Observing System |
| Formation | 1993 |
| Founder | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
| Type | International program |
| Headquarters | Paris |
| Parent organization | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
Global Sea Level Observing System The Global Sea Level Observing System is an international program coordinating tide gauges, satellite altimetry, and data services to monitor mean sea level and sea level change. It connects observational networks, research institutes, and agencies to support climate assessment, hazard warning, and coastal management across regions such as the North Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The program links operational services and academic research, interfacing with bodies like the World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, and Group on Earth Observations.
Overview
Established under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and aligned with the World Climate Research Programme, the system integrates in situ networks such as the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level and spaceborne missions including TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich. It fosters cooperation among agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, European Space Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration to provide continuous sea level records for use by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum.
History and Development
Origins trace to coordinated tide gauge activities in the 19th and 20th centuries involving institutions like the UK Hydrographic Office, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the International Hydrographic Organization. Formalization occurred in the 1990s through initiatives by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and collaborations with the Global Climate Observing System and the World Meteorological Organization. The advent of satellite altimetry with Geosat, ERS-1, TOPEX/Poseidon and subsequent series transformed capabilities, prompting partnerships with agencies including the French Space Agency and research centers like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and National Oceanography Centre.
Organizational Structure and Partners
Governance involves the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission steering committee, regional panels such as the IOC/WESTPAC, and technical working groups comprising representatives from the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level, EUMETSAT, Copernicus Programme, and national services like Port of Rotterdam Authority and Geoscience Australia. Scientific collaboration spans universities and labs including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and CSIRO. Funding and operational support come from entities including the European Commission, National Science Foundation, Japan Meteorological Agency, and private stakeholders in the maritime and insurance sectors.
Observational Components and Technologies
Core components include coastal tide gauges maintained by national hydrographic offices such as the Canadian Hydrographic Service and the Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine, satellite altimeters flown by NOAA, ESA, and CNES, and GNSS stations co-located with gauges linked to the International GNSS Service. Complementary systems involve gravity missions like GRACE and GRACE-FO, oceanographic floats from the Argo programme, and sea-level proxies from coral studies conducted by teams at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and University of Miami. Techniques employ radar altimetry, tide gauge datum ties using GPS, geoid modelling from European Space Agency initiatives, and climate reanalysis from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Data Management and Products
Data stewardship is coordinated with repositories such as the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, and Copernicus Marine Service. Standard products include mean sea level time series, trend analyses used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, sea level anomaly maps integrated into Global Ocean Observing System dashboards, and operational tide predictions used by port authorities including Port of Singapore Authority and Harbourmaster of New York. Quality control protocols reference standards from the International Association of Geodesy and data exchange leverages frameworks promoted by the Group on Earth Observations and Open Geospatial Consortium.
Applications and Impact
Products support coastal adaptation planning in municipalities like Tokyo, New York City, and Mumbai, inform flood risk assessments used by insurers such as Lloyd's of London and Munich Re, and underpin scientific assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and policy guidance within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Sea level information supports navigation safety for organizations like the International Maritime Organization, habitat conservation efforts by UNESCO World Heritage Convention sites, and disaster preparedness coordinated with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Challenges and Future Directions
Challenges include sustaining long-term in situ networks amid budget pressures from agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and UK Research and Innovation, improving coastal resolution via high-frequency GNSS and tide gauge densification supported by Global Navigation Satellite System programs, and integrating new altimetry missions planned by European Space Agency and NASA. Future directions emphasize coupling with climate models used at institutions like the Met Office Hadley Centre and NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, enhancing data assimilation in frameworks supported by the World Climate Research Programme, expanding partnerships with regional entities such as the African Union and Pacific Community, and advancing open data practices championed by the Group on Earth Observations and Open Data Charter.