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Data

Obtaining Sea Level Data from the PSMSL Supplying Sea Level Data to the PSMSL Uses of PSMSL data A Note on Long Records not in the PSMSL Data Set Obtaining Higher Frequency Sea Level Data GLOUP data, IAPSO Pelagic Constants and Coastal Tidal Constants

Recent research

Reconstruction of the global sea level record by
Jevrejeva, Grinsted, Moore, & Holgate Reconstruction of the global sea level record by
Church & White

Associated data sets

Air Pressure data sets Peltier GIA model data sets

Obtaining higher frequency data

Obtaining higher frequency (HF) sea level data (typically hourly values) is more complicated than obtaining MSL data for several reasons. In particular, until recently no formalities existed for the international exchange of higher frequency data, and a number of countries were reluctant to exchange HF data because they were perceived to have either military or commercial value (unlike MSL).

This situation has changed dramatically in the last few years. Many countries have taken part in international scientific programmes (e.g. the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) of the 1990s) which required extensive data exchange. In addition, in many countries there has been a recognition that by not charging for HF data, one makes the information more accessible and therefore more 'useful' to the community, with benefits all round. This has been aided in a number of countries by changes to the laws with regard to access to data, so as to provide data free of charge (or with minimal charge) to the user. The availability of web services has aided these developments considerably.

In spite of these encouraging developments, there is still no single global data centre for HF data, other than those provided by the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) programme.

GLOSS provides access to data from several hundred stations via:

Delayed Mode Higher Frequency (DM HF) Data Sets
There are in effect 2 DM HF GLOSS Data Sets.
One is at the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), which is based at the same institute as the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level, and which functions as a GLOSS Archiving Centre on behalf of the PSMSL. This DM activity by BODC is also being undertaken on behalf of the Climate Variability and Predictability Programme (CLIVAR).
The other is the University of Hawaii Sea Level Center (UHSLC) which has its Research Quality Data Set (RQDS) which is, to a great extent, a GLOSS DM HF data set.
Steps are now being taken to merge these 2 DM HF data sets as far as possible for the benefit of users.
Fast Mode Higher Frequency Data Sets
The GLOSS Fast Centre is based at the UHSLC and is an evolution of the fast activities provided during WOCE. 'Fast' during WOCE meant data available during approximately one month, but now there are requirements for data within several days or even real-time for a range of deep ocean and coastal applications.
UHSLC also operates the Fast Centre as a service for the CLIVAR programme.

Aside from GLOSS, a user wanting HF data from a particular region must consult one of a number of national and international (regional) data centres. The PSMSL maintains a list of such National and International Data Centres.

However, be aware each centre will provide data in different formats and possibly subject to a charge.