[SIO GP Seminars] Fwd: Reminder: Special seminar on sea-level rise (Steve Nerem)

[Helen Amanda Fricker]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Helen Amanda Fricker <hafricker at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Subject: Reminder: Special seminar on sea-level rise (Steve Nerem)
To: all-at-sio at ucsd.edu


*Special lunchtime seminar*

Wednesday 30th April 2008 at 1:15pm in the Munk Conference Room

*Title: What's Happening in the Bathtub?: An Overview of Present-Day Sea
Level Change**

Speaker: R. Steven Nerem, University of Colorado*

Abstract: Over the last decade, satellite measurements together with in situ
measurements, have revolutionized our understanding of present-day sea level
change. This is important because sea level change can be used as one
barometer of climate variations and because of the implications sea level
change has for coastal populations. With measurements from satellite
altimeter missions (TOPEX/Posiedon and Jason), satellite gravity missions
(GRACE), and in situ measurements, we are now able to start answering some
important questions with regards to global sea level change and its regional
variations. What has been the rate of global mean sea level change over the
last 15 years? Is this rate different from the historical rate observed by
the tide gauges over the last century? What are the principal causes of the
observed sea level change, and are they related to anthropogenic climate
variations? The record of sea level change from satellite altimetry will be
reviewed and the results placed in context with other estimates of sea level
change from tide gauges, in situ measurements, and global climate models.
The much shorter, but just as important, record of ocean mass variations
from satellite gravity measurements will be similarly reviewed, as well as
the changes in polar ice mass. A sea level change budget will be presented,
both for the altimetric era and the last century, containing estimates of
contributions from thermal expansion, ocean mass changes (melting ice,
runoff, etc.), and other contributions to sea level change. Finally, the
need for continuing the satellite measurements of sea level change will be
discussed in the context of future missions and the scientific gain that
would result.

-- 
Dr Helen Amanda Fricker
Associate Professor
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
La Jolla, California, USA
Tel: 858-534-6145 (w)
619-993-3569 (cell)



-- 
Dr Helen Amanda Fricker
Associate Professor
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
La Jolla, California, USA
Tel: 858-534-6145 (w)
619-993-3569 (cell)
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