Disentangling vertical land motion and waves from coastal sea level altimetry and tide gauges

In the context of global mean sea level rise, understanding drivers relative sea-level (RSL) at coast is major importance for coastal environments research and management. Since 1990s, combination satellite altimetry observations with in situ tide gauge data has provided a better variability, but challenges remain to quantify contributions possible (oceanic, vertical land motion (VLM), atmospheric wave). Here, over period 1993–2015, we combine concurrent from altimetry, gauges, oceanic model hindcast order identify predominant responsible long-term variability RSL 434 locations worldwide. We found that dominant driver trend ocean components 76% cases, VLM 17% waves 7%. Interestingly, no significant wave setup was noted considered most our stations. However, some locations, correlations between hindcasts data. Moreover, evidence substantial variance reduction once corrected setup. therefore recommend future studies aiming estimation consider applying corrections improve comparability measurements.