Oceanography & Sea-Level Rise Physical Tracking Lab
Tracking ocean physical properties and sea-level rise to quantify climate impacts on coastal communities.
Research Mission
The Oceanography & Sea-Level Rise Physical Tracking Lab monitors ocean physical properties — temperature, salinity, circulation, and sea level — and investigates the processes driving sea-level rise and ocean change. The lab operates ocean observation systems, conducts ship-based surveys, and develops ocean models to quantify the contributions of thermal expansion, ice melt, and circulation change to regional sea-level rise — providing the oceanographic data and projections needed for coastal adaptation planning.
Key Research Functions
Sea-Level Monitoring
Operating tide gauge and satellite altimetry networks to track sea-level change at global and regional scales — attributing observed trends to thermal expansion, ice melt, and circulation change to constrain future projections.
Ocean Heat Tracking
Monitoring ocean heat content and its distribution through the water column — quantifying the ocean's role in absorbing excess heat from greenhouse gas forcing and tracking changes in ocean thermal structure that drive sea-level rise.
Coastal Projection
Developing regional sea-level rise projections and coastal inundation models that translate global ocean change into local impacts — providing the spatial detail needed for coastal infrastructure planning and community adaptation.
Research Capabilities
Directorate of Advanced Research & Applied Sciences
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