Recent sea level trends and accelerations: Comparison of tide gauge and satellite results

A comprehensive set of 456 monthly tide gauge records is analyzed for trend and acceleration over the same period that satellite altimetry was analyzed (1993 to 2011). Additionally, a 90 tide gauge record subset is analyzed for which GPS data are available. The selection criterion for the tide gauge data is 85% data completion. All measurements are adjusted for vertical land motion. Results from 456 pairs of tide gauges, adjusted for Global Isostatic Adjustment, and satellite recordings located within 1° root-mean-square latitude and longitude separation differences are compared. The tide gauge trends and accelerations are adjusted for spatial bias using the more globally dense satellite data.The average trends of the 456 and 90 gauge sets (3.26 and 2.68 mm/year, respectively) agree reasonably well with the global trend average of the satellite data (3.09 mm/year). Average trends for the 456 tide gauges are also in good agreement (within 95% confidence limits) with trends based on satellite data within the 1° satellite proximity criterion (3.26 and 3.31 mm/year, respectively). The trends for the 90 gauges with GPS nearby and qualifying satellite locations are 2.68 and 2.74 mm/year, respectively. For all datasets analyzed, the accelerations are quite strongly negative but the uncertainty is relatively large. Adjustment of the tide gauge trends for spatial bias modified both trends and accelerations significantly and decreased trend differences between the 456 and 90 gauge datasets. The spatially adjusted tide gauge trends (2.95 and 2.72 mm/year, respectively for the 456 and 90 tide gauges sets) are somewhat less than the 1° spatially adjusted satellite data (3.09 mm/year). Whether the increased sea level trend of approximately 3 mm/year measured by the satellites since the 1990's is a long-term increase from the 20th Century value of approximately 1.7 mm/year or part of a cycle will require longer records; however, the negative accelerations support some cyclic character.

► Trends and accelerations compared for tide gauges and satellites over period of satellite reporting (post 1993).
► Gauge trends adjusted using GIA and GPS information including GIA based information of ocean floor lowering.
► Trends and accelerations adjusted for spatial distribution based on dense satellite data.
► Trends based on tide gauges and satellites were within 95% confidence limits.
► More data are required to determine whether the higher post 1992 trends will continue or are part of a cycle.