Abstract
Mean sea level (MSL) data recorded at tide gauge stations in Sri Lanka and southern India, some previously unpublished, have been used in order to determine the main characteristics of the seasonal cycle of MSL in the region, concentrating on the annual component. Altimetric, meteorological and hydrographic information, together with results from numerical modelling, have been employed to try to understand the main factors which contribute to the observed MSL changes. Success in obtaining understanding has been relatively modest, especially for the southern Indian coastline, but proposals are put forward for further work in order to derive greater insight into the seasonal variability. With regard to Sri Lanka, it is evident that change in steric sea level (or dynamic height) is the main factor leading to seasonal MSL change. However, even in this case, there are apparent systematic differences between the various data sets, indicating scope for further research.
Highlights
This paper discusses the seasonal cycle of sea level around the coast of Sri Lanka and along the neighbouring coastline of southern India
The seasonal cycle in this area is larger than in many other parts of the Indian Ocean and requires explanation. This has been addressed with the use of new sea level data sets at two locations in Sri Lanka, together with historical tide gauge, altimetric, meteorological and hydrographic information from India and Sri Lanka and recently acquired numerical model data sets
Annual amplitudes tend to be larger on the east coast of India than on the west coast
Summary
This paper discusses the seasonal cycle of sea level around the coast of Sri Lanka and along the neighbouring coastline of southern India. The seasonal cycle in this area is larger than in many other parts of the Indian Ocean and requires explanation. This has been addressed with the use of new sea level data sets at two locations in Sri Lanka, together with historical tide gauge, altimetric, meteorological and hydrographic information from India and Sri Lanka and recently acquired numerical model data sets. There are few corresponding studies for Sri Lankan locations, and this paper represents one first such investigation
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