Dr John Church, CSIRO Marine Research Project Leader, Sea Level Rise 03 6232 5207 john.church@csiro.au

Project Overview

Estimates of sea-level change over the 20th century and changes in the observed frequency of extreme events are necessary to assess the potential impacts of climate change and develop strategies for adaptation or mitigation.

New estimates arising from this project help test our understanding of historical sea-level rise and build confidence in projections of future sea-level rise. Regional estimates of historical sea-level rise, including the historical frequency/intensity of extreme sea-level events, also contribute to regional planning and help us identify the potential risks from future changes in sea level.

Project Objectives

• To narrow estimates of the range of 20th century global-averaged and regional change in sea level.
• To document the frequency during the 20th century of specific extreme events related to sea level (e.g., storm surges) for selected regions in Australia and estimate any rates of change in frequency of occurrence.

National Collaborators

• Australian Greenhouse Office Climate Change Science Programme
• CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship
• Australian Government Antarctic Division

International Collaborators

Global and national data sets from:

• NASA/CNES (satellite altimeter data)
• The Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (tide gauge data)
• Hawaii Sea Level Center (tide gauge data)
• National Tidal Centre (Bureau of Meteorology) (sea level data) 

• Tasmarc Manual 

• SLR-01: Project Background
• SLR-01: Research Plan