CMIP6 Model Evaluation and Projection of Sea Surface Height Associated with Natural Climate Variability

Abstract

newline The low-lying regions and coastlines surrounding the Indo-Pacific belt face a newlinepotential threat from rising sea levels. The shallow topographical characteristics newlinecontribute to making it one of the world s most vulnerable regions. Sea Level Rise newline(SLR) can result in saltwater intrusion, land erosion, coastal inundation, and could newlinecritically endanger the habitat of coastal communities. Sea level changes and its newlinevariability are inherently associated with the sea surface temperature (SST) variations newlineand associated patterns of the wind field over the Indo-Pacific Ocean (IPO) (Mitra et newlineal. 2020). Climate variability modes based on the SST such as the El Niño Southern newlineOscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation newline(PDO) cause a significant influence on the variability of sea levels within the IPO. newlineBesides, sea surface height (SSH) is also a crucial oceanographic parameter and an newlineindicator of sea level change, and scientists are continuously monitoring it, owing to newlineits significant impacts on offshore communities, their infrastructure, and ecosystems. newlineTherefore, a precise understanding of SLR in association with SST, teleconnection newlinemechanisms, its impact and future projections is of great importance for offshore and newlinecoastal industrial operations and development, assessment of future vulnerability to newlinecoastal disaster, and the well-being of growing coastal populations.