Pacific Sea Level & Geodetic Monitoring Technical Coordination Meeting

Did you know that Australian Aid is behind the longest-running, highest quality sea level and climate data in the Pacific Region- one of the most valuable data sets in the world?

The Pacific Sea Level and Geodetic Monitoring Project (PSLGM) was first established in the early 1990s at the request of Pacific Forum Leaders who were concerned about the impact of climate change and sea level rise. This network of 14 tide gauges and accompanying earth-monitoring stations across 13 countries forms the backbone of one of the world's most important ocean monitoring networks.

They provide an indispensible record for meteorological agencies, emergency services, shipping operators, aviation, and a range of industries across the Pacific. Information from these stations gives us tide predictions, long-term climate trends, tsunami warnings, and reliable geospatial information underpinning land ownership, topographic mapping and charting, and even delimitation of maritime zones and boundaries.

PSLGM is now a key component of the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), but the maintenance of the stations, future development, data analysis and information management is governed by the Technical Coordination Committee, or TCC, who meet twice annually and as frequently as needed over the phone to progress the TCC action plan.

The latest meeting took place in Port Vila, Vanuatu, at the end of November 2019. Nick Brown of Geoscience Australia, is the current TCC chair. Other members include staff from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC), and the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council (PGSC). National Meteorological Services and Lands and Survey Departments also play a key role in the routine maintenance and upkeep of the critical infrastrucutre.

To learn more visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/pacific/projects/pslm/