Contact

Staff contact details

Dr Lesley J. Rickards
Director of the PSMSL
0151 795 4897


Kathy Gordon
Data Manager
0151 795 4915

Dr Simon Holgate
Sea Level Scientist
0151 795 4900

Dr Sveta Jevrejeva
Sea Level Scientist
0151 795 4899
[Webpage/Email]

Prof. Philip L. Woodworth
Sea Level Scientist
0151 795 4860
[Webpage/Email]

Related Links

Google Earth

The global network of tide gauges that contribute data to the PSMSL can be viewed using Google Earth. It is useful to see the spread of stations and compare the number of them in some areas relative to others. To view the network of stations you will have to follow these instructions - [More].

Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level

PSMSL 75th Anniversary

PSMSL organised three events in celebration of its 75th Anniversary. The highlight of the year was 'Liverpool, Home of Sea Level Science: Sea Level Rise and Climate Change', a session at the September 2008 meeting of the British Association Festival of Science in Liverpool. A number of distinguished speakers from the UK and abroad presented an overview of the measurements and causes of sea level change, as well as the history of this research at Liverpool.

In addition, PSMSL gathered scientific experts to discuss ongoing research into sea level. It planned a special Interdivision Session at the 2008 Assembly of the European Geophysical Union (abstract and contributed presentations.) Furthermore, it sponsored the Geological Society's William Smith Meeting 2008. The meeting was titled "Observations and Causes of Sea-Level Changes on Millennial to Decadal Timescales" and occurred 1-2 September 2008.

PSMSL commentaries

We have started a page in which 'commentaries' of records in the data set can be posted for the interest of other users of the data set - more information.

Recent Events demonstrate need for sea level data

Two recent events highlight the need for sharing information on sea-level changes internationally: the Sumatra tsunami of December 2004 and the hurricane Katrina floods of August 2005. There are also scientific and public concerns about climate change and sea-level rise. The PSMSL is the global data bank for long-term sea-level information from tide gauages. It operates with the support of the International Council for Science. PSMSL's data holdings now total more than 54,000 station-years from around 2,000 stations, an increase of over 1,600 station-years during 2005-06.

International Polar Year

The tide gauge at Vernadsky.

The International Polar Year (IPY, 2007-08) is focusing attention on making and using more measurements in the polar regions to better understand our current global climate and what may happen in the future. As part of the IPY, the PSMSL took the lead in 2005 in a proposal for sea-level measurements in the Arctic and Antarctic. The proposal was enthusiastically endorsed by our international partners and accepted by the IPY Committee.

PSMSL and Africa

There are major gaps in the global sea-level network in Africa, which need filling. PSMSL and the Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) have co-operated in installing or refurbishing a dozen tide gauges as part of the GLOSS, ODINAFRICA and Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System programmes. These stations are based on radar and pressure gauge technology.

The Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS)

GLOSS aims at the establishment of high quality global and regional sea level networks for application to climate, oceanographic and coastal sea level research.

• GLOSS station handbook
• GLOSS website

PSMSL is a member of FAGS

The PSMSL is a member of the Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Analysis Services (FAGS).

• FAGS website