Features of Seasonal Sea Level Oscillations in the Russian Arctic Seas

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the analysis of long series of monthly mean sea level values from the database of the PSMSL and ESIMO portals, we obtained estimates of the mean and extreme amplitudes of seasonal oscillations. The mean amplitude of annual sea level oscillations in the White Sea is 7 cm, in the Barents Sea is 9–10 cm, in the Kara Sea, is 8–9 cm, in the Laptev Sea, is 10–11 cm, in the East Siberian and Chukchi seas is 13–14 cm. In the estuarine areas of seas, the amplitude of annual oscillations increases, and the semiannual, third-annual, and quarter-annual components appear in the sea level spectra. They are formed due to the asymmetry of the seasonal sea level variation with a sharp maximum during the flood period in June. Interannual changes in the amplitude of seasonal oscillations were identified and estimates of their extreme values were obtained. In some years, the amplitude of seasonal oscillations reaches 50 cm in the Yenisei Gulf and Gulf of Ob, 60 cm near the mouth of the Lena River, and 75 cm at the mouth of the Olenek River.