Havsvattenstånd

Havsvattenstånd refers to the measured level of the sea surface. It is influenced by a variety of factors, both permanent and temporary. Permanent factors include the Earth's gravitational pull from the Moon and Sun, which causes tides. Tides are predictable, cyclical rises and falls in sea level.

Temporary factors are more variable and can lead to significant deviations from the average sea level. These include atmospheric pressure, with low pressure systems tending to raise sea levels and high pressure systems lowering them. Wind is another crucial factor, as strong winds blowing towards a coast can push water ashore, causing a storm surge. Ocean currents also play a role in distributing water masses and influencing local sea levels.

Furthermore, long-term climate change is causing a general rise in global mean sea level. This is primarily due to the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Monitoring havsvattenstånd is vital for coastal management, navigation, and understanding the impacts of climate change. Data is collected using tide gauges and satellite altimetry. Understanding these variations is crucial for coastal communities, maritime industries, and scientific research.