Sea level rise estimation and projection from long-term multi-mission satellite altimetry and tidal data in the Southeast Asia region

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Southeast Asian (SEA) region represents a complex coastal geographical location. Most countries in SEA are encircled by the ocean, with lowlands coastal areas. The advantages of long-term satellite altimetry and tide gauge measurements have enabled climate-related research, particularly sea level rise, to be examined extensively in spatial and temporal scales. In this study, sea level anomaly (SLA) derived from 26 years of multi-mission satellite altimeter data plus approximately 28 years of tidal data have been utilized. Then, the projection for every 10 years starting from 2030 until 2100 has been analysed using machine learning regression. The projections are then evaluated based on the global model of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The findings presented that sea level rise trends around SEA with overall means of 4.70 ± 0.37 mm yr−1 for the satellite altimeter and 3.41 ± 0.24 mm yr−1 for the coastal tide gauge. Sea level projection from coastal tide gauge and satellite altimeter are expected to rise up to 34.87 and 33.71 cm, respectively, in 2100. These outcomes prove that the altimetry data from Radar Altimeter Database System (RADS) and the redundant tidal data are capable in measuring the sea level in SEA. These results are also expected to be valuable for multidisciplinary environmental studies in SEA, such as coastal flooding, coastal erosion, and other effect of global warming. Thus, it would make a meaningful contribution towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, climate action, by providing the sea level rate and prediction information.