Havsnivåmätning

Havsnivåmätning is the process of measuring the height of the sea surface relative to a fixed reference point. This measurement is crucial for understanding climate change, coastal erosion, and predicting potential flooding. Historically, tide gauges have been the primary method for determining sea level. These devices, often located on piers or the coast, record the rise and fall of the tide over time, providing long-term data series.

In more recent decades, satellite altimetry has revolutionized havsnivåmätning. Satellites equipped with radar altimeters send pulses to the ocean surface and measure the time it takes for the signal to return. By knowing the satellite's precise orbit, this data can be used to calculate the sea surface height across vast areas. This provides a global perspective and allows for the detection of regional variations in sea level rise.

Data from both tide gauges and satellites are analyzed to identify trends, assess the rate of sea level rise, and understand its contributing factors, such as thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Understanding past and present havsnivåmätning is vital for future planning and adaptation strategies in coastal communities worldwide.