The 20-Year Record of Global Mean Sea Level from Satellite Altimetry

Satellite climate data records are becoming increasingly important in understanding and communicating changes in the Earth climate system. Using data from the repeat track TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, and Jason-2 satellite missions, we have been producing estimates of global mean and regional sea levels since 1998 and communicating these to the public. Here we discuss new processing of the 20-year data sets and update the global mean sea level time series through 2013 and investigate the trend and recent interannual variations and their causes. We also update the regional sea level trend maps and discuss the record of sea level change among the ocean basins. We review the methods and various required corrections used to form the climate record and the effects of choices of certain processing parameters on the resulting estimates. Finally, we discuss our experiences and lessons learned in communicating the sea level record to the general public.