Multidecadal variability in the Arctic/North Atlantic climate system

Sea Level

This movie shows simulated sea level variations.

In the deep ocean, the sea level is mainly controlled by the water density: the more dense (salty) the water, the lower is the sea level. In shallow regions the major contributor in the formation of the sea level is wind. Onshore winds cause an increase of sea level, offshore winds decrease the sea level (the so-called storm surges). River runoff is also important: near river mouths the prevailing color is red indicating the increase in sea level due to the additional water transport into the ocean. Sea level is extremely variable with rapid changes from depressed sea surface to increased.