Illuminating Sea-Level Fall around AD 1220–1510 (730-440 cal yr BP) in the Pacific Islands: Implications for Environmental Change and Cultural Transformation

2000 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
PATRICK D. NUNN
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Cultural Transformation ◽  
The Pacific

Sea Level Forecasts and Early-Warning Application: Expanding Cooperation in the South Pacific

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Rashed Chowdhury ◽  
Pao-Shin Chu
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
The South ◽  
Trade Winds ◽  
Hazard Management ◽  
The Pacific

Abstract Because of the need for information related to the variability and predictability of sea level on season-to-longer time scales, the Pacific ENSO Applications Climate (PEAC) Center runs the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-based canonical correlation analysis (CCA) statistical model to generate sea level forecasts for the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) region with lead times of 3–6 months in advance. However, in order to meet the increasing demand for longer lead-time (e.g., 6–12 months) forecasts, the PEAC Center, as part of the advances in operational sea level forecasts, recently incorporated both SST and zonal wind components of trade winds (U) for modulating sea level variability on longer time scales. The combined SST and U-based forecasts are found to be more skillful on longer time scales. This improvement has enabled the capability of our clients in the USAPI region to develop a more efficient long-term response plan for hazard management. In a recent “Regional Integrated Water Level Service” meeting, it was revealed that the development and distribution of “seasonal water level outlooks” in the Pacific basin region is an area of mutual interest. We therefore synthesize the current operational forecasting, warning, and response activities of the PEAC Center and discuss the manner in which our experience in the USAPI region can contribute to the development of adaptation strategies for longer time-scale climate variability and change for the non-USAPI region in the south Pacific.

scholarly journals High-Water Alerts from Coinciding High Astronomical Tide and High Mean Sea Level Anomaly in the Pacific Islands Region

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 2829-2843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Stephens ◽  
Robert G. Bell ◽  
Douglas Ramsay ◽  
Nigel Goodhue
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
High Water ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Sea Level Anomaly ◽  
Mean Sea Level ◽  
Astronomical Tide ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Level Elevation ◽  
Practical Tool

Abstract A technique to produce high-water alerts from coinciding high astronomical tide and high mean sea level anomaly is demonstrated for the Pacific Islands region. Low-lying coastal margins are vulnerable to episodic inundation that often coincides with times of higher-than-normal high tides. Prior knowledge of the dates of the highest tides can assist with efforts to minimize the impacts of increased exposure to inundation. It is shown that the climate-driven mean sea level anomaly is an important component of total sea level elevation in the Pacific Islands region, which should be accounted for in medium-term (1–7 months) sea level forecasts. An empirical technique is applied to develop a mean sea level–adjusted high-water alert calendar that accounts for both sea level components and provides a practical tool to assist with coastal inundation hazard planning and management.

Holocene sea-level change and human response in Pacific Islands

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Nunn
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Pacific Rim ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Western Pacific ◽  
Holocene Sea Level

ABSTRACTHolocene sea-level changes affected people living in the Pacific Islands and their ancestors along the western Pacific Rim. Sea-level changes, particularly those that were rapid, may have led to profound and enduring societal/lifestyle changes. Examples are given of (1) how a rapid sea-level rise (CRE-3) about 7600 BP could ultimately have led to the earliest significant cross-ocean movements of people from the western Pacific Rim into the islands; (2) how mid to late Holocene sea-level changes gradually created coastal environments on Pacific Islands that were highly attractive to human settlers; (3) a hypothesis that rapid sea-level fall during the ‘AD 1300 Event' brought about widespread disruption to trajectories of cultural evolution throughout the Pacific Islands; and (4) the effects of recent and likely future sea-level rise on Pacific Island peoples.

scholarly journals Minimum 60 years of recording are needed to compute the sea level rate of rise in the Western South Pacific

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Parker
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Tide Gauges ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Short Time ◽  
The Tropical Pacific

Abstract Sea levels generally oscillate with multi-decadal periodicities worldwide with up to the quasi-60 years detected in many tide gauges. Nevertheless, the most part of the literature on sea levels computes apparent rates of rise of sea levels much larger than the legitimate by using short time windows in selected locations only covering part of a valley-to-peak of this multi-decadal oscillation. It is shown in this paper that along the Pacific coast of Australia the sea levels oscillate with a frequency close to the Southern Ocean Index (SOI) oscillation of 19 years and a lower frequency of about 60 years. The rates of rise of sea levels computed by linear fitting of the data recorded since the early 1990s in selected locations of the Australian Pacific coastline and in the tropical Pacific islands are from a valley of the peak and valley oscillations and are much higher than the legitimate long term values.

Pacific Islands Countries Declare Permanent Maritime Baselines, Limits and Boundaries

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-695
Author(s):  
David Freestone ◽  
Clive Schofield
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
The South ◽  
Major Development ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Coastal Features ◽  
International Law Commission

Abstract The Pacific Island countries are in the front line of adverse impacts from sea level rise. For the last decade the South Pacific Forum Members have been seeking ways to preserve their entitlements to their maritime zones and resources in the event of inundation of coasts and coastal features as a result of sea level rise. The issue was explored by the International Law Association in its 2018 Report and is being considered by a Study Group of the International Law Commission. This 2021 Declaration by the 18 Members of the South Pacific Forum purporting to fix permanently their maritime entitlements represents a major development in State practice for the region.

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