Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

The effect of the 18.6‐year lunar nodal cycle on steric sea Level changes
Bult, S.V.; Le Bars, D.; Haigh, I.D.; Gerkema, T. (2024). The effect of the 18.6‐year lunar nodal cycle on steric sea Level changes. Geophys. Res. Lett. 51(8). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023gl106563
In: Geophysical Research Letters. American Geophysical Union: Washington. ISSN 0094-8276; e-ISSN 1944-8007, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Authors  Top 
  • Bult, S.V.
  • Le Bars, D.
  • Haigh, I.D.
  • Gerkema, T., more

Abstract
    We show that steric sea-level varies with a period of 18.6 years along the western European coast. We hypothesize that this variation originates from the modulation of semidiurnal tides by the lunar nodal cycle and associated changes in ocean mixing. Accounting for the steric sea level changes in the upper 400 m of the ocean solves the discrepancy between the nodal cycle in mean sea level observed by tide gauges and the theoretical equilibrium nodal tide. Namely, by combining the equilibrium tide with the nodal modulation of steric sea level, we close the gap with the observations. This result supports earlier findings that the observed phase and amplitude of the 18.6-year cycle do not always correspond to the equilibrium nodal tide.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors