The total sea level change for different time periods determined by different au
ID: 294903 • Letter: T
Question
The total sea level change for different time periods determined by different authors. Satellite altimetry refers to measurements made by satellites of the height of sea level around the planet. Tide gauges measure the height of the tides (water levels) relative to a height reference (generally near land). Hypothesize why the different authors have different estimates. Hypothesize why the uncertainties might differ. What is the overall trend and is it consistent amongst the authors? What might be driving the change in total sea level?
Explanation / Answer
Change in sea level is caused due to the change in sea water density due to variations in Ocean temperature or salinity or by the change in Ocean Basin volume. Different hypothesis had been given by the authors for the estimation of total sea level from work of coastal tide Guage or by the satellite born instruments -
: since last glacial maximum about 20,000 years ago global sea level is estimated and bases on dated worldwide coral and peat deposits.
:from 1700-2000 long northern hemisphere tide gauge records of sea level change has been estimated and recorded. This tide gauge tells about the change that is happening in actual sea level at a particular coastal location. Geographically dispersed tide gauge records are used to provide an estimate of the global sea level curve.
: satellite measurements - satellite measurements are used over 20years because satellite measurements provided exact data for the sea level rise.
Different authors had different estimates because of the random errors.
Uncertainties many develop because of both of the systematic and random errors because of changes in technology and sampling methods over many decades that resulted in temporal variability.
The change in total sea level is because of on going climatic change, thermal expansion, melting glaciers and Polar ice caps, loss of ice from Antarctica.
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