GLOBAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM
ESSENTIAL CLIMATE VARIABLE - Sea state |
| Domain | Oceanic | Description | Waves are generated by ocean surface vector stress and evolve from wind waves to swell when the stress has insufficient magnitude to support the waves. Wave characteristics can also be modified by bathymetry when the depth of the water is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength, or by surface currents, which appear to play a large role in the formation of rogue waves. Sea state is best known for its impacts on marine safety, marine transport and damage to structures. However, waves also affect the growth or decay of sea ice, beach erosion, surface albedo, gas transfer, transport of larvae and contaminants such as oil, and air-sea exchange of energy, moisture and momentum. They thereby play large roles in the global cycles of energy, water and carbon. [GCOS-195 5.3.4] |
| Sub-domain | Surface |
| Full Name | Sea state |
| Satellite Signficant Contribution | Yes  |
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| GCOS Actions |
Action
Status* | Description | Who | Time Frame | Performance Indicator | Cost Implications |
O16
Cat-D | Implement a wave measurement component as part of the Surface Reference Mooring Network. Who: Parties operating moorings, coordinated through the JCOMM Expert Team on Waves and Surges. Time-Frame: Deployed by 2014. | Parties operating moorings, coordinated through the JCOMM Expert Team on Waves and Surges. | Deployed by 2014. | Sea state measurement in the International Data Centres. | 1-10M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties). |
*GCOS-195 Status Categories:
Category A: Action completed, perhaps exceeding reasonable expectations. Very good progress on ongoing tasks.
Category B: Action largely completed according to expectation. Good progress on ongoing tasks.
Category C: Moderate progress overall, although progress may be good for some part of the action.
Category D: Limited progress overall, although progress may be moderate or good for some part of the action.
Category E: Very little or no progress, or deterioration rather than progress.
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| GCOS Products | |
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| CEOS Response | N/A |
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