Sea level and thermal variability of the Persian Gulf

This study focuses on changes in the steric height of the Persian Gulf and the relationship of thermal expansion in sea level. Sea level is significantly correlated among all stations in the Persian Gulf. The thermosteric sea level variability is estimated from temperature profiles at one degree grid points. The monthly mean thermostric height ranges from +2.2 cm in July to -2.1 cm in February. The major change in sea level due to the thermal expansion seems to be associated with the large change in thermohaline circulation of the Persian Gulf. The dominant influence on the seasonal cycle of sea level is associated with atmospheric pressure but the thermosteric sea level adjustment in the multivariate analysis increases the proportion of the variance explained to 78.1-90.7 %.

Keywords:

Thermal Expansion , Sea level , Persian Gulf