This volume presents the most recent results of global mean sea level variations over the satellite altimetry era (starting in the early 1990s) and associated contributions, such as glaciers and ice sheets mass loss, ocean thermal expansion, and land water storage changes. Sea level  is one of the best indicators of global climate changes as it integrates the response of several components of the climate system to external forcing factors (including anthropogenic forcing) and internal climate variability. Providing long, accurate records of the sea level at global and regional scales and of the various components causing sea level changes is of crucial importance to improve our understanding of climate processes at work and to validate the climate models used for future projections. The Climate Change Initiative project of the European Space Agency has provided a first attempt to produce consistent and continuous space-based records for several climate parameters observable from space, among them sea level. This book presents current knowledge of the sea level budget over the altimetry era and 20th century.

The book describes experience in application of coastal altimetry to different parts of the World Ocean. It presents the principal problems related to the altimetry derived products in coastal regions of the ocean and ways of their improvement. This publication is based on numerous satellite and observational data collected and analyzed by the authors of the various chapters in the framework of a set of international projects, performed in UK, France, Italy, Denmark, Russia, USA, Mexico and India. The book will contribute both to the ongoing International Altimeter Service effort and to the building of a sustained coastal observing system in the perspective of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) and GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) initiatives. This book is aimed at specialists concerned with research in the various fields of satellite altimetry, remote sensing, and coastal physical oceanography. The book will be also interesting for lecturers, students and post-graduate students.

This volume presents the most recent results of global mean sea level variations over the satellite altimetry era (starting in the early 1990s) and associated contributions, such as glaciers and ice sheets mass loss, ocean thermal expansion, and land water storage changes. Sea level  is one of the best indicators of global climate changes as it integrates the response of several components of the climate system to external forcing factors (including anthropogenic forcing) and internal climate variability. Providing long, accurate records of the sea level at global and regional scales and of the various components causing sea level changes is of crucial importance to improve our understanding of climate processes at work and to validate the climate models used for future projections. The Climate Change Initiative project of the European Space Agency has provided a first attempt to produce consistent and continuous space-based records for several climate parameters observable from space, among them sea level. This book presents current knowledge of the sea level budget over the altimetry era and 20th century.

The book describes experience in application of coastal altimetry to different parts of the World Ocean. It presents the principal problems related to the altimetry derived products in coastal regions of the ocean and ways of their improvement. This publication is based on numerous satellite and observational data collected and analyzed by the authors of the various chapters in the framework of a set of international projects, performed in UK, France, Italy, Denmark, Russia, USA, Mexico and India. The book will contribute both to the ongoing International Altimeter Service effort and to the building of a sustained coastal observing system in the perspective of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) and GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) initiatives. This book is aimed at specialists concerned with research in the various fields of satellite altimetry, remote sensing, and coastal physical oceanography. The book will be also interesting for lecturers, students and post-graduate students.