Since 1993, measurements from the TOPEX and Jason series of satellite radar altimeters have allowed estimates of global mean sea level. These measurements are continuously monitored against a network of tide gauges. When seasonal variations are subtracted, they allow estimation of the global mean sea level rate. As new data, models and corrections become available, we continuously revise these estimates (about every two months) to improve their quality.
2016_rel1: Global Mean Sea Level Time Series (seasonal signals removed)
Edited: 2016-03-09
Data
Raw data (ASCII) | PDF | EPS
Similar plots
Global Mean Sea Level Time Series (seasonal signals retained)
Release Notes
2016 Release 1 (2016-03-09):
- Added Jason-2/OSTM GDR cycles 261-276.
Instrument Drift Monitoring
To cite these plots or data, please use: "Estimating Mean Sea Level Change from the TOPEX and Jason Altimeter Missions." Marine Geodesy 33, no. 1 supp 1 (2010): 435.
2016_rel1: GMSL and Multivariate ENSO Index
Edited: 2016-03-09
Discussion
The Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) is the unrotated, first principal component of six observables measured over the tropical Pacific (see NOAA ESRL MEI, Wolter & Timlin, 1993,1998). To compare the global mean sea level to the MEI time series, we removed the mean, linear trend, and seasonal signals from the 60-day smoothed global mean sea level estimates and normalized each time series by its standard deviation. The normalized values plotted above show a strong correlation between the global mean sea level and the MEI, with the global mean sea level often lagging changes in the MEI.
