Sea level fluctuations : geophysical interpretation and environmental impact

Objective

To connect a selected ensemble of tide gauges in the
Mediterranean and Black sea area to the high precision global
reference system established through the Satellite Laser Ranging
and/or Very Long Baseline Interferometry techniques, and to
integrate the geodetic observations, tide gauge data,
geophysical information and geological records for the
Mediterranean area in order to contribute to the estimate of
global sea level changes and to the interpretion of local and
regional trends.


Tide gauge measurements are referred to a permanent shore mark,
the Tide Gauge Bench Mark (TGBM). Simultaneous GPS observations
are performed to link the TGBM and the fiducial stations
(SLR/VLBI). GPS vertical accuracy will be improved by estimating
the signal path delay due to water vapor and liquid water in the
troposphere by means of dual frequency ground based water vapor
radiometers which will observe simultaneously with GPS.

Measurements of absolute-g will be performed both at fiducial
sites and tide gauges to contribute to achieving a vertical
reference accurate to centimeter level and to provide an
independent check on the occurrence of vertical crustal
movements.

The tide gauge data will be collected from the database of the
Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), analyzed and
interpreted.

The tide gauge data will be corrected for the different effects
which influence tide gauge readings. Realistic models for tidal
loading and tectonics in the Mediterranean will be developed to
evaluate the effects of active tectonics on vertical deformation
in the area. To reduce height variations due to exogenic origin,
corrections will be calculated by using the existing data and the
knowledge about the viscoelastic behavior of the Earth.

Observations of geomorphological markers of late Quaternary
relative sea level will be performed on selected coastal and
shallow submarine areas of the Aeolian Archipelago (Southeast
Tyrrhenian Sea) with both field and oceanographic survey to
improve the data set of vertical tectonic deformation for
understanding the interactions among local
eustatic--tectonic--sedimentary components in the migration of coastlines.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › computer and information sciences › databases
• engineering and technology › mechanical engineering › vehicle engineering › aerospace engineering › satellite technology
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › atmospheric sciences › meteorology › troposphere
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › laser physics

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0103 - Climate change impacts

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA

Address

Viale Berti Pichat 8
40127 Bologna
Italy

Participants (4)

Institut für Angewandte Geodäsie

Germany

Address

Richard-strauss-allee 11
60598 Frankfurt Am Main

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

Greece

Address

9,heroon Polytechniou 9 Zagraphou
15780 Athens

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

United Kingdom

Address

Bidston Observatory
L43 7RA Birkenhead

SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ZUERICH

Switzerland

Address

Eth-hoenggerberg
8093 Zurich