Monthly and Annual Sea Level Data from the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) from 1806 to the Present

Monthly and annual values of sea level are sent to the Permanent
Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) by national authorities, with
details of gauge location, missing days, and definition of the datum
to which measurements are referred. Received data are checked for
consistency. If possible, values are reduced to a Revised Local
Reference (RLR). This involves the identification of a stable,
permanent benchmark which ensures continuity with subsequent
data. Geodetic information on benchmarks from new geodetic techniques
(SLR + VLBI/GPS) related to the IERS global geodetic network will also
be databanked by PSMSL.

There are more than 46000 stations with approx. 1800 tide gauge
stations with 20 years+ data, and approx. 120 stations with data prior
to 1900 (earliest is 1806). Data are normally distributed on magnetic
tape in the IOC recommended GF3 format. Small quantities can be sent over
electronic mail or on floppy disk. Data can also be accessed via
the INTERNET: "http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/"

Also a Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) Station Handbook,
describing in detail the 287 sea level stations in the GLOSS network,
is available. GLOSS measures the Global Level of the Sea Surface, a
smooth sea surface layer after averaging out waves, tides and short
period meteorological events. A full description of each gauge in the
GLOSS network is provided including tide gauge details, benchmark
information, data delivery systems and the GLOSS national contact
point. Details of data availability in national or project data banks
is included, together with details of the monthly and annual means
held by the PSMSL. The handbook is provided on CDROM.