Rapid change in semi-diurnal tides in the North Atlantic since 1980

Abstract

An anomalously large trend of M 2 and S 2 amplitudes and phases, beginning in the early 1980s, is observed in the North Atlantic. Harmonic analysis of long-term sea-level records from tide-gauge stations along the North American Atlantic coast and European Atlantic coast shows a large decrease in M 2 and S 2 amplitudes and an increase in phase lag. The characteristics of the evolution of M 2 and S 2 tides are similar, but not fully conclusive, which may suggesting different causes. In general, the trends may be due to global warming, which significantly increased in the early 1980s in the North Atlantic region. Several climate-related driving mechanisms for the observed changes in tides are discussed. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.