Altimetry-based sea level trends along the coasts of Western Africa

We present results of contemporary coastal sea level changes along the coasts Western Africa, obtained from a dedicated reprocessing satellite altimetry data done in context ESA ‘Climate Change Initiative’ project. High sampling rate (20 Hz) Jason-1 and Jason-2 missions over 14-year-long time span (July 2002 to June 2016) are considered. The were first retracked using ALES adaptative leading edge subwaveform retracker. X-TRACK processing system developed optimize completeness accuracy corrected series ocean areas was then applied. From 14-year long finally obtained, we estimate trends & 2 tracks covering study region. analyze regional variations trends, with focus on observed between open zone. Compared conventional 1 Hz products applications, 20 measurements used this allow us retrieve valid information much closer coast (less than 3–4 km coast, depending track location). main objective is twofold: (1) provide reprocessed (2) check whether at differ that reported products. In selected region, show period, near Africa significantly different offshore trends. order assess robustness results, detailed analyses performed several locations discriminate possible drifts geophysical corrections physical processes potentially able explain close coast.