Australia's unique influence on global sea level in 2010-2011

In 2011, a significant drop in global sea level occurred that was unprecedented in the altimeter era and concurrent with an exceptionally strong La Niña. This analysis examines multiple data sets in exploring the physical basis for the drop's exceptional intensity and persistence. Australia's hydrologic surface mass anomaly is shown to have been a dominant contributor to the 2011 global total, and associated precipitation anomalies were among the highest on record. The persistence of Australia's mass anomaly is attributed to the continent's unique surface hydrology, which includes expansive arheic and endorheic basins that impede runoff to ocean. Based on Australia's key role, attribution of sea level variability is addressed. The modulating influences of the Indian Ocean Dipole and Southern Annular Mode on La Niña teleconnections are found to be key drivers of anomalous precipitation in the continent's interior and the associated surface mass and sea level responses.

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Copyright 2013 American Geophysical Union.


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Author Fasullo, John
Boening, C.
Landerer, F.
Nerem, R.
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2013-08-28T00:00:00
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Topic Category geoscientificInformation
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Metadata Date 2023-08-18T19:04:27.308480
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:12957
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Fasullo, John, Boening, C., Landerer, F., Nerem, R.. (2013). Australia's unique influence on global sea level in 2010-2011. UCAR/NCAR - Library. http://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7k938fs. Accessed 15 February 2025.

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