Variability and trend of sea level in southern waters of Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The coastal area of Java has become a centre of new economic growth. The southern coast of Java, which is directly adjacent to the tropical Indian Ocean, is very vulnerable to sea level rise caused by climate change. Information on variability and trends in sea level are therefore very important for adaptation and disaster mitigation efforts. This research was conducted to determine the variability and trend of sea level in the southern sea of Java. Data used were from satellite altimeter from 1993 to 2018 and tide gauges from 2007 to 2015. The rate of sea level rise was analysed using linear regression. The results showed that the sea level variability in the southern waters of Java was influenced by the Asian–Australian monsoon, eddy currents and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). During June–November, there was a very significant decrease in sea level, especially in the south of East Java and Central Java, which was caused by upwelling and eddy currents. When there was a positive phase of IOD and an El Niño event, sea level decreased; conversely, when the IOD was in a negative phase, sea level increased. For the period 1993–2018, the sea level in the southern waters of Java increased by about 4.7 mm/year.