Testing of Climate Models and Sea Level Rise Projections using Observations of Ocean Heat Uptake

Supervisor

Nathan Bindoff (UTas), John Church (CSIRO), Susan Wijffels (CSIRO), Siobhan O'Farrell (CSIRO), Trevor McDougall (CSIRO)

Project Outline

Ocean observations indicate that the ocean has warmed over the last 50 years. As a result of ocean thermal expansion sea level has risen. There has been a series of regional studies of ocean heat uptake but to date there has been only one global estimate of the amount of heat uptake by the ocean. We have initiated a new estimate of ocean heat uptake over the last 50 years and its contribution to sea level rise.

Aim

To compare observed ocean heat content increases with ocean only and coupled ocean/atmosphere models run under a variety of boundary conditions.

Particular issues requiring attention include understanding the different rates of ocean heat uptake in models and the distribution of this heat uptake. The distribution implies an understanding of the regional distribution of sea level rise. The project may involve new numerical experiments or could focus on the analysis of existing model results.

Contact

Assoc Prof Nathan Bindoff or tel +61 3 6226 2986