Sea-Level Science: Understanding Tides, Surges, Tsunamis and Mean Sea-Level Changes
Cambridge University Press
Edition: 2nd Revised ed., 4/24/2014
EAN 9781107028197, ISBN10: 1107028191
Hardcover, 525 pages, 25.2 x 19.4 x 2 cm
Language: English
Understanding sea-level processes, such as ocean tides, storm surges, tsunamis, El Niño and rises caused by climate change, is key to planning effective coastal defence. Building on David Pugh's classic book Tides, Surges and Mean Sea-Level, this substantially expanded, full-colour book now incorporates major recent technological advances in the areas of satellite altimetry and other geodetic techniques (particularly GPS), tsunami science, measurement of mean sea level and analyses of extreme sea levels. The authors discuss how each surveying and measuring technique complements others in providing an understanding of present-day sea-level change and more reliable forecasts of future changes. Giving the how and the why of sea-level change on timescales from hours to centuries, this authoritative and exciting book is ideal for graduate students and researchers in oceanography, marine engineering, geodesy, marine geology, marine biology and climatology. It will also be of key interest to coastal engineers and governmental policy-makers.
Preface
List of acronyms
List of symbols
1. Introduction
2. Observations and data reduction
3. Tidal forces
4. Tidal analysis and prediction
5. Tidal dynamics
6. Shallow water and coastal tides
7. Storm surges, meteotsunamis and other meteorological effects on sea level
8. Tsunamis
9. Sea-level changes in space
10. Mean sea-level changes in time
11. Sea-level changes in time to do with the solid Earth
12. Sea-level applications
13. Sea level and life
Appendix A. The basic hydrostatic and hydrodynamic equations
Appendix B. Currents
Appendix C. High and low water times and heights
Appendix D. Theoretical tidal dynamics
Appendix E. Legal definitions in the coastal zone
Glossary
References
Index.
'Governments and their planners responsible for management and defences against coastal flooding need the best science to identify present and future risks. This authoritative new book gives an excellent and comprehensive account of the science which underpins our understanding of sea levels, and its practical application on our changing planet.' Wendy Watson-Wright, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
'Professors Pugh and Woodworth's book is timely, authoritative, and will certainly have a prominent place on my bookshelf. It is a unique resource for teachers of upper undergraduate to graduate level courses, and will also be used often by sea level researchers, coastal engineers and planners, and by many others with an interest in sea level.' Gary T. Mitchum, Associate Dean, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, and Chair, Global Sea Level Observing System