Space Geodesy and its Applications in Earth Sciences: Asia-Pacific Space Geodynamics Project (APSG) Symposium

IWG3C
(APSG co-sponsor) Sea Level Variations in Asia and Oceania

Convenor
C.K. Shum, Ohio State University, Columbus
ckshum@osu.edu

X.L. Ding, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
lsxlding@polyu.edu.hk

Brief Description
Global sea level variations including the Asia-Pacific seas and other regional to local variations are primarily affected by many factors causing fluctuations and changes over a wide spectra of frequencies. Over the last century, an upward trend has become evident. In this century, the rate of sea level rise is predicted to increase as consequences of anthropogenic climate changes. In particular, the observed 20th century sea level rise of 1.8 mm/yr is not fully explained by various geophysical processes contributing to the rise. In the attempt to understand the causes, much focus has been directed towards ocean thermal expansion, self-gravitation of melt water, and on mass exchanges between the ocean and terrestrial ice and water reservoirs. On regional to local scales, changes in the patterns of atmospheric pressure and wind stress, changes in the spatial distribution of heat flux into the ocean, and oceanic circulation changes may also be important. The relative sea level is additionally affected by vertical crustal motion including the phenomena of glacial isostatic adjustment of solid Earth as result of last deglaciation. As well as changes in the sea level, characteristics of short lived storm surge events may also vary. Significant consequences of sea level changes can be expected in some continental coastal areas and on oceanic islands as a result of both the changes in mean sea level and the changes in extreme surge events. Presentations are solicited on observational (satellite altimetry, tide gauges) and numerical model studies of the coupled variability of sea level and other atmospheric-oceanic parameters focusing on but not limited to the Asia-Pacific, global processes themselves (thermal expansion, hydrological cycle, oceanic-atmospheric processes, etc). In addition, papers are sought on evidence documenting consequences of recent sea level changes, and projections of future consequences.