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Understanding of Contemporary Regional Sea‐Level Change and the Implications for the Future
Author(s) -
Hamlington Benjamin D.,
Gardner Alex S.,
Ivins Erik,
Lenaerts Jan T. M.,
Reager J. T.,
Trossman David S.,
Zaron Edward D.,
Adhikari Surendra,
Arendt Anthony,
Aschwanden Andy,
Beckley Brian D.,
Bekaert David P. S.,
Blewitt Geoffrey,
Caron Lambert,
Chambers Don P.,
Chandanpurkar Hrishikesh A.,
Christianson Knut,
Csatho Beata,
Cullather Richard I.,
DeConto Robert M.,
Fasullo John T.,
Frederikse Thomas,
Freymueller Jeffrey T.,
Gilford Daniel M.,
Girotto Manuela,
Hammond William C.,
Hock Regine,
Holschuh Nicholas,
Kopp Robert E.,
Landerer Felix,
Larour Eric,
Menemenlis Dimitris,
Merrifield Mark,
Mitrovica Jerry X.,
Nerem R. Steven,
Nias Isabel J.,
Nieves Veronica,
Nowicki Sophie,
Pangaluru Kishore,
Piecuch Christopher G.,
Ray Richard D.,
Rounce David R.,
Schlegel NicoleJeanne,
Seroussi Hélène,
Shirzaei Manoochehr,
Sweet William V.,
Velicogna Isabella,
Vinogradova Nadya,
Wahl Thomas,
Wiese David N.,
Willis Michael J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/2019rg000672
Subject(s) - climate change , global change , lead (geology) , sea level , sea level change , earth system science , environmental resource management , environmental science , geography , physical geography , oceanography , geology , geomorphology
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.